Daily Readings - Fri Jun 30 2023
Genesis
1In truth, after he began to be ninety-nine years of age, the Lord appeared to him. And he said to him: "I am the Almighty God. Walk in my sight and become complete5No longer will your name be called Abram. But you will be called Abraham, for I have established you as the father of many nations9Again God said to Abraham: "And you therefore shall keep my covenant, and your offspring after you in their generations10This is my covenant, which you shall observe, between me and you, and your offspring after you: All the males among you shall be circumcised15God said also to Abraham: "Your wife Sarai, you shall not call Sarai, but Sarah16And I will bless her, and from her I will give you a son, whom I will bless, and he will be among the nations, and the kings of the peoples will rise from him.17Abraham fell on his face, and he laughed, saying in his heart: "Do you think a son can be born to a one hundred year old man? And will Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?18And he said to God, "If only Ishmael would live in your sight.19And God said to Abraham: "Your wife Sarah shall give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant, and with his offspring after him20Likewise, concerning Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I will bless and enlarge him, and I will multiply him greatly. He will produce twelve leaders, and I will make him into a great nation21Yet in truth, I will establish my covenant with Isaac, to whom Sarah will give birth for you at this time next year.22And when he had finished speaking with him, God ascended from Abraham
Matthew
1And when he had descended from the mountain, great crowds followed him2And behold, a leper, drawing near, adored him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.3And Jesus, extending his hand, touched him, saying: "I am willing. Be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed4And Jesus said to him: "See to it that you tell no one. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses instructed, as a testimony for them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and obedience. The first reading from Genesis recounts God's establishment of a covenant with Abraham, marking him as the father of many nations. Despite Abraham's advanced age and the seeming impossibility of having a child, he trusts God's promise, exemplifying unwavering faith. This covenant is sealed through the sign of circumcision, a physical reminder of God's pledge and the community's identity. The narrative also highlights Abraham's humility and acceptance of God's will, even when faced with doubt.
In the Gospel, we witness Jesus' compassionate healing of a leper. The leper approaches Jesus with humility and faith, acknowledging Jesus' power to heal. Jesus' immediate and merciful response underscores His divine authority and compassion. The instruction to show himself to the priest serves as a testament to God's work, emphasizing the importance of sharing our experiences as a form of worship and witness.
These readings connect through themes of faith and trust in God's promises. Abraham's story teaches us to trust God even when circumstances seem impossible, while the leper's encounter with Jesus illustrates the power of humble faith. Both narratives call us to obedience and using our experiences to glorify God. May we approach life with the humility and faith of the leper and the trust of Abraham, allowing God's grace to transform us and shine through us.