The readings today give us the opportunity to reflect on how God sees us. Are we following the teachings of Jesus by living the life we were given at baptism that sealed us to God?

In the first reading, the potter shows great mercy as he works with his clay. He wants to soften it, reshape it, and fix the imperfections with gentle hands. He doesn’t want to see the clay thrown away but wants to see it become his best possible creation.

Our gospel is about being caught in the net, being baptized in Christ. Then, depending on the goodness of our hearts in our lives, we are divided into two distinct groups. The first are those who are worthy of the kingdom that God has prepared for us, and the second group will be cast into the darkness.

These two readings actually mesh together. The potter has a vision for what we can become. We are his clay. He will fill in the cracks, our sins, with forgiveness. He molds, shapes, and sculpts our hearts to keep them soft, malleable to the will of God. Do we keep ourselves open to God and allow him to do his work in us, or do we resist and end up getting cast aside?

Looking at Saint Peter Julian Eymard, I see a perfect example of God molding and reshaping his life. First, he became a wonderful priest in the Marist Community, but the potter wasn’t finished with him. Through Eymard’s deep love and closeness with God and the Church’s great need for the Eucharist to be present in our lives, Peter Julian allowed the potter to transform him again. He persevered in founding the Blessed Sacrament Congregations, living out God’s will.

God has the ability to redeem us. Allow the Potter to transform your heart.

Prayer:

Take my heart into your loving hands, Lord. I trust your hands to shape me and guide me. I am assured you will lead me to know, love, and serve you always.