Daily Readings - Mon Jul 18 2022
Micah
1Listen to what the Lord says: Rise, contend in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice2Let the mountains listen to the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth. For the judgment of the Lord is with his people, and he will enter into judgment with Israel3My people, what have I done to you, or how have I assailed you? Respond to me4For I led you out of the land of Egypt, and I freed you from the house of servitude, and I sent before your face Moses, and Aaron, and Miriam6What worthy thing might I offer to the Lord, as I bend the knee before God on high? How could I offer holocausts to him, and one year-old calves7Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with many thousands of fat he-goats? How could I give up my firstborn because of my evil deed, the fruit of my womb because of the sin of my soul8I will reveal to you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires from you, and how to act with judgment, and to love mercy, and to walk carefully with your God
Matthew
38Then certain ones from the scribes and the Pharisees responded to him, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.39And answering, he said to them: "An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. But a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah40For just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights41The men of Nineveh shall arise in judgment with this generation, and they shall condemn it. For, at the preaching of Jonah, they repented. And behold, there is a greater than Jonah here42The Queen of the South shall arise in judgment with this generation, and she shall condemn it. For she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, there is a greater than Solomon here
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages that guide us toward a deeper understanding of faith and living a virtuous life. The first reading from Micah emphasizes God's call to His people to move beyond mere rituals and sacrifices. Micah highlights that true worship is not about external acts but about living justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. This message was crucial during Micah's time, as Israel had strayed from genuine worship, focusing instead on empty rituals. The passage reminds us that faith must be reflected in our actions, prioritizing justice and compassion.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this by illustrating Jesus' response to the Pharisees' demand for a sign. Jesus points to the sign of Jonah, symbolizing His own resurrection, and compares the current generation unfavorably to the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South, who responded with repentance and wisdom. This underscores that true faith is not about seeking signs but about recognizing and responding to God's presence in our lives. Jesus' message challenges us to look beyond the superficial and to embrace a life of repentance and openness to God's wisdom.
Together, these readings teach us that faith is not merely about external practices or seeking miracles but about living with integrity, justice, and humility. They call us to examine our actions and ensure they reflect God's love and justice. Let us strive to embody this in our daily lives, remembering that true faith is about living a life that honors God through our deeds and our hearts.