Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 28, 2021
First Reading: Genesis 18.16-33
16Therefore, when the men had risen up from there, they directed their eyes against Sodom. And Abraham traveled with them, leading them17And the Lord said: "How could I hide what I am about to do from Abraham18since he will become a great and very robust nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed19For I know that he will instruct his sons, and his household after him, to keep to the way of the Lord, and to act with judgment and justice, so that, for the sake of Abraham, the Lord may bring about all the things that he has spoken to him.20And so the Lord said, "The outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah has been multiplied, and their sin has become exceedingly grievous21I will descend and see whether they have fulfilled the work of the outcry that has reached me, or whether it is not so, in order that I may know.22And they turned themselves from there, and they went toward Sodom. Yet in truth, Abraham still stood in the sight of the Lord23And as they drew near, he said: "Will you destroy the just with the impious24If there were fifty of the just in the city, will they perish with the rest? And will you not spare that place for the sake of fifty of the just, if they were in it25Far be it from you to do this thing, and to kill the just with the impious, and for the just to be treated like the impious. No, this is not like you. You judge all the earth; you would never make such a judgment.26And the Lord said to him, "If I find in Sodom fifty of the just in the midst of the city, I will release the entire place because of them.27And Abraham responded by saying: "Since now I have begun, I will speak to my Lord, though I am dust and ashes28What if there were five less than fifty of the just? Would you, despite the forty-five, eliminate the entire city?" And he said, "I will not eliminate it, if I find forty-five there.29And again he said to him, "But if forty were found there, what would you do?" He said, "I will not strike, for the sake of the forty.30"I ask you," he said, "not to be angry, Lord, if I speak. What if thirty were found there?" He responded, "I will not act, if I find thirty there.31"Since now I have begun," he said, "I will speak to my Lord. What if twenty were found there?" He said, "I will not put to death, for the sake of the twenty.32"I beg you," he said, "not to be angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more. What if ten were found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.33And the Lord departed, after he had ceased speaking to Abraham, who then returned to his place
Psalm 103
1To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses3He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities4He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion5He satisfies your desire with good things. Your youth will be renewed like that of the eagle6The Lord accomplishes mercies, and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries7He has made his ways known to Moses, his will to the sons of Israel8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities11For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us13As a father is compassionate to his sons, so has the Lord been compassionate to those who fear him14For he knows our form. He has called to mind that we are dust15Man: his days are like hay. Like the flower of the field, so will he flourish16For the spirit in him will pass away, and it will not remain, and he will know his place no longer17But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, and even unto eternity, upon those who fear him. And his justice is with the sons of the sons18with those who serve his covenant and have been mindful of his commandments by doing them19The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom will rule over all20Bless the Lord, all you his Angels: powerful in virtue, doing his word, in order to heed the voice of his discourse21Bless the Lord, all his hosts: his ministers who do his will22Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul
Gospel: Matthew 8.18-22
18Then Jesus, seeing the great crowds encircling him, gave orders to go across the sea19And one scribe, approaching, said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you will go.20And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have dens, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to rest his head.21Then another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.22But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and allow the dead to bury their dead.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and commitment. The first reading from Genesis depicts Abraham's impassioned negotiation with God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, driven by concern for the righteous within the city, bargains with God, reducing the number of just people needed to spare the cities. This exchange highlights Abraham's deep trust in God's justice and mercy, as well as his understanding of God's willingness to show compassion.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus' teachings on discipleship. A scribe eager to follow Jesus is met with a reality check: following Jesus means embracing a life of sacrifice and uncertainty. Another disciple is called to prioritize following Jesus over familial obligations, emphasizing the urgency of living according to God's will. These encounters underscore the transformative commitment required in following Christ, challenging us to reevaluate our priorities and trust in God's plan.
These readings together teach us about the essence of faith and trust. Abraham's intercession and the disciples' calls to follow Jesus remind us that true faith involves trusting God even in uncertainty and being willing to make sacrifices. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when the path is unclear, and to prioritize our commitment to Him above all else. Let us reflect on our own faith journey, embracing the challenges and uncertainties with trust and fidelity, knowing that God's plan is always greater than our own.