Daily Readings - Tue Jul 19 2022
Micah
14With your rod, pasture your people, the flock of your inheritance, living alone in the narrow forest, in the midst of Carmel. They will graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the ancient days15As in the days of your departure from the land of Egypt, I will reveal miracles to him18What God is like you, who takes away iniquity and passes over the sin of the remnant of your inheritance? No longer will he send forth his fury, because he is willing to be merciful19He will turn back and have mercy on us. He will put away our iniquities, and he will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea20You will give the truth to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, which you swore to our fathers from the ancient days
Matthew
46While he was still speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak with him48But responding to the one speaking to him, he said, "Which one is my mother, and who are my brothers?49And extending his hand to his disciples, he said: "Behold: my mother and my brothers50For anyone who does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, forgiveness, and the nature of family. In the first reading from Micah, we hear a beautiful expression of trust in God’s care and mercy. The prophet describes God as a shepherd who pastures His people, leading them to safety and abundance. He emphasizes that God’s mercy is unparalleled, as He forgives sin and casts it into the depths of the sea. This passage reminds us of God’s steadfast love and His desire to restore His people, even when they have wandered.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family. When His mother and brothers approach Him, He responds by pointing to His disciples and saying, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” This teaching challenges us to see family not only in biological terms but in spiritual ones. Jesus is not dismissing His earthly family but rather emphasizing that those who follow God’s will are part of His true family.
Both readings call us to live in a way that reflects God’s mercy and to embrace a broader understanding of family. Micah’s focus on forgiveness encourages us to let go of grudges and trust in God’s love. Jesus’ teaching reminds us that our faith community is our spiritual family, bound together by our commitment to God’s will. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to live with mercy, forgiveness, and a deep sense of belonging to God’s family. May we see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and may our actions reflect the love and compassion of our heavenly Father.