Daily Readings - Wed Jun 28 2023
Genesis
1And so, these things having been transacted, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your protector, and your reward is exceedingly great.2And Abram said: "Lord God, what will you give to me? I may go without children. And the son of the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus.3And Abram added: "Yet to me you have not given offspring. And behold, my servant born in my house will be my heir.4And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying: "This one will not be your heir. But he who will come from your loins, the same will you have for your heir.5And he brought him outside, and he said to him, "Take in the heavens, and number the stars, if you can." And he said to him, "So also will your offspring be.6Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice7And he said to him, "I am the Lord who led you away from Ur of the Chaldeans, so as to give you this land, and so that you would possess it.8But he said, "Lord God, in what way may I be able to know that I will possess it?9And the Lord responded by saying: "Take for me a cow of three years, and a she-goat of three years, and a ram of three years, also a turtle-dove and a pigeon.10Taking all these, he divided them through the middle, and placed both parts opposite one another. But the birds he did not divide11And birds descended upon the carcasses, but Abram drove them away12And when the sun was setting, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a dread, great and dark, invaded him17Then, when the sun had set, there came a dark mist, and there appeared a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between those divisions18On that day, God formed a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your offspring I will give this land, from the river of Egypt, even to the great river Euphrates
Matthew
15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves16You shall know them by their fruits. Can grapes be gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles17So then, every good tree produces good fruit, and the evil tree produces evil fruit18A good tree is not able to produce evil fruit, and an evil tree is not able to produce good fruit19Every tree which does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire20Therefore, by their fruits you will know them
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and discernment. In the first reading from Genesis, we encounter Abram, who is struggling with doubt and uncertainty about God’s promise of descendants and land. God responds by making a covenant with Abram, using the dramatic imagery of a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between the divided animals. This ritual signifies God’s commitment to Abram, sealing the promise that his offspring will inherit the land. Abram’s faith in God’s promise, despite his doubts, is a powerful example of trust in the face of uncertainty.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us about false prophets who appear harmless but harbor harmful intentions. He teaches us to discern their true nature by their actions, just as we can tell a tree by its fruit. This passage reminds us that our words and actions must align with our faith, and we must be cautious about the influences we allow into our lives. Just as Abram had to trust God’s promise, we too must trust in God’s wisdom and guidance as we navigate the challenges of discerning good from evil.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with faith and integrity. Abram’s story shows us that even in times of doubt, God is faithful and keeps His promises. Jesus’ teaching reminds us to remain vigilant and rooted in our values, so that our lives bear fruit that reflects God’s love and truth. Let us strive to trust in God’s plan for us and to live in a way that our actions and words bear witness to His presence in our lives.