Daily Readings - Thu Jun 30 2022
Amos
10And Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: "Amos has rebelled against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to withstand all his sermons11For Amos says this: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will be taken captive out of their own land.’ 12And Amaziah said to Amos, "You, seer, go out and flee into the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there13And in Bethel, do not prophesy any longer, because it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is the house of the kingdom.14And Amos responded, and he said to Amasias, "I am not a prophet, and I am not the son of a prophet, but I am a herdsman plucking from wild fig trees15And the Lord took me, when I was following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16And now, hear the word of the Lord: You say, "You will not prophesy about Israel, and you will not rain your words upon the house of the idol.17Because of that, the Lord says this: "Your wife will fornicate in the city, and your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword, and your soil will be measured with a string. And you will die on polluted land, and Israel will be taken into captivity out of their land.
Matthew
1And climbing into a boat, he crossed the sea, and he arrived at his own city2And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Be strengthened in faith, son; your sins are forgiven you.3And behold, some of the scribes said within themselves, "He is blaspheming.4And when Jesus had perceived their thoughts, he said: "Why do you think such evil in your hearts5Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk?6But, so that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins," he then said to the paralytic, "Rise up, take up your bed, and go into your house.7And he arose and went into his house8Then the crowd, seeing this, was frightened, and they glorified God, who gave such power to men
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of divine authority, faith, and the consequences of our responses to God's message.
The first reading from Amos recounts the prophet's confrontation with Amaziah, a priest who rejects Amos' warnings of impending judgment. Amos, a humble herdsman called by God, insists that his prophetic role is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. His message of repentance is met with hostility, leading to dire consequences for Amaziah and Israel. This passage underscores the importance of heeding God's voice and the gravity of rejecting His truth.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus healing a paralytic, first forgiving his sins and then restoring his physical health. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority but also highlights the inseparable connection between spiritual and physical healing. The scribes' skepticism contrasts with the crowd's awe, illustrating the varied responses to God's work. Jesus' actions affirm His power to forgive sins and heal, challenging us to trust in His authority and grace.
These readings connect through their emphasis on faith and obedience. Amos' rejection leads to darkness, while the paralytic's faith leads to light and healing. Both stories call us to recognize God's authority in our lives. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace humility and faith, allowing God's truth to transform us. The moral lesson is clear: rejecting God's message can lead to spiritual decay, while embracing it brings healing and grace. Let us approach God with open hearts, trusting in His power to forgive and restore us.