for the readings of today's mass, go to
https://www.livingwithchrist.ca/images/article_images/pdf/July_30_Pages_from_LWC_July2020-lowres-4.pdf
The prophet Jeremiah's visit to the potter house is a story that is much celebrated, in both word and song, and rightly so.
Jeremiah watches the potter at work. One creation is not satisfactory, and requires a restart. Then, the potter is satisfied with what he sees. We then hear the Lord's explanation as to what Jeremiah as witnessed.
This story reminds me of the basic reality of who we are as human beings and our work in helping to bring about the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.
As many of you have heard me say frequently, you and I are works in progress. Our growth as human beings, as we strive to become the man and woman that God calls us to be, is never a straight-forward, smooth path. There many obstacles that need to be overcome, and many times that our efforts fail. But we still dust ourselves off, and keep going forward. Sometimes our efforts need a restart as well. But eventually we keep on trying to grow and improve.
This process also requires patience, and maybe even some help from others, including some badly needed help from above.
Isaiah, has it right: "But now, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64: 7)