God told Jeremiah to go to watch the potter forming something beautiful out of a handful of clay.

As Jeremiah watched, God shared with him God's deep desire to form something beautiful from his people, the Israelites. The people would not allow God to form them into God's image. God desires us to be open to the Holy Spirit, to become more like Jesus, and to live in a way that reflects the love and mercy of God. How willing are we to be formed by God?

Jesus was sharing another parable of the kingdom of heaven. He said it was like a net catching fish - everyone was welcome in the kingdom of heaven. However, just as the bad fish were thrown out, so the angels would separate the evil from the righteous. The evil would be thrown into the fiery furnace.

The disciples said that they understood but did they really understand Jesus' teaching? Do we know that God loves everyone, yet God has certain expectations? We are expected to follow the way of Christ. Are we willing to walk the way that Jesus taught by sharing God's love and living out the Beatitudes?