Daily Readings - Fri Jul 05 2019
Genesis
1Now Sarah lived for one hundred and twenty-seven years2And she died in the city of Arba, which is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn and weep for her3And when he had risen up from the funeral duties, he spoke to the sons of Heth, saying4"I am a newcomer and a sojourner among you. Give me the right of a sepulcher among you, so that I may bury my dead.19So then, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the double cave of the field that overlooked Mamre. This is Hebron in the land of Canaan
1Now Abraham was old and of many days. And the Lord had blessed him in all things2And he said to the elder servant of his house, who was in charge of all that he had: "Place your hand under my thigh3so that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live4But that you will proceed to my land and kindred, and from there take a wife for my son Isaac.5The servant responded, "If the woman is not willing to come with me into this land, must I lead your son back to the place from which you departed?6And Abraham said: "Beware that you never lead my son back to that place7The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my nativity, who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ himself will send his Angel before you, and you will take from there a wife for my son8But if the woman is not willing to follow you, you will not be held by the oath. Only do not lead my son back to that place.62Then, at the same time, Isaac was walking along the way that leads to the well, whose name is: ‘of the One who lives and who sees.’ For he dwelt in the southern land63And he had gone out to meditate in the field, as daylight was now declining. And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw camels advancing from afar64Likewise, Rebekah, having seen Isaac, descended from the camel65And she said to the servant, "Who is that man who advances to meet us through the field?" And he said to her, "That is my lord." And so, quickly taking up her cloak, she covered herself66Then the servant explained to Isaac all that he had done67And he led her into the tent of Sarah his mother, and he accepted her as wife. And he loved her so very much, that it tempered the sorrow which befell him at his mother’s death
Matthew
9And when Jesus passed on from there, he saw, sitting at the tax office, a man named Matthew. And he said to him, "Follow me." And rising up, he followed him10And it happened that, as he was sitting down to eat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners arrived, and they sat down to eat with Jesus and his disciples11And the Pharisees, seeing this, said to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?12But Jesus, hearing this, said: "It is not those who are healthy who are in need of a physician, but those who have maladies13So then, go out and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the just, but sinners.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust in God's providence and the call to mercy. The first reading from Genesis presents Abraham, a man of deep faith, who, after burying his wife Sarah, entrusts his servant with a significant mission. Abraham's charge to his servant is not just about finding a wife for Isaac; it is a testament to his unwavering trust in God's promise. The servant's obedience and the eventual union of Isaac and Rebekah illustrate how God weaves His plan into the fabric of human lives, ensuring that His covenant with Abraham endures.
The Gospel reading shifts our focus to Jesus, who, in a bold act of inclusion, calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. Jesus' subsequent dining with tax collectors and sinners challenges the Pharisees' rigid understanding of holiness. His response, emphasizing mercy over sacrifice, underscores His mission to reach the marginalized. This encounter reminds us that Jesus' message is not for the self-righteous but for those who recognize their need for healing and grace.
Both readings converge on themes of trust and mercy. Abraham's trust in God's plan and Jesus' merciful outreach to the outcast teach us to embrace God's providence with faith and to extend compassion to others. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when uncertain, and to live out mercy, as Jesus did, by reaching out to those on the margins. The moral lesson is clear: faith and mercy are not abstract concepts but lived realities that transform our lives and the lives of those around us.