Daily Readings - Wed Jul 05 2023
Genesis
5when he was one hundred years old. Indeed, at this stage of his father’s life, Isaac was born8And the boy grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day of his weaning9And when Sarah had seen the son of Hagar the Egyptian playing with her son Isaac, she said to Abraham10"Cast out this woman servant and her son. For the son of a woman servant will not be heir with my son Isaac.11Abraham took this grievously, for the sake of his son12And God said to him: "Let it not seem harsh to you concerning the boy and your woman servant. In all that Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be invoked in Isaac13Yet I will also make the son of the woman servant into a great nation, for he is your offspring.14And so Abraham arose in the morning, and taking bread and a skin of water, he placed it upon her shoulder, and he handed over the boy, and he released her. And when she had departed, she wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba15And when the water in the skin had been consumed, she set aside the boy, under one of the trees that were there16And she moved away and sat in a distant area, as far as a bow can reach. For she said, "I shall not see the boy die." And so, sitting opposite her, he lifted up his voice and wept17But God heard the voice of the boy. And an Angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, saying: "What are you doing, Hagar? Do not be afraid. For God has heeded the voice of the boy, from the place where he is18Rise up. Take the boy and hold him by the hand. For I will make of him a great nation.19And God opened her eyes. And seeing a well of water, she went and filled the skin, and she gave the boy to drink20And God was with him. And he grew, and he stayed in the wilderness, and he became a young man, an archer
Matthew
28And when he had arrived across the sea, into the region of the Gerasenes, he was met by two who had demons, who were so exceedingly savage, as they went out from among the tombs, that no one was able to cross by that way29And behold, they cried out, saying: "What are we to you, O Jesus, the Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?30Now there was, not far from them, a herd of many swine feeding31Then the demons petitioned him, saying: "If you cast us from here, send us into the herd of swine.32And he said to them, "Go." And they, going out, went into the swine. And behold, the entire herd suddenly rushed along a steep place into the sea. And they died in the waters33Then the shepherds fled, and arriving in the city, they reported on all this, and on those who had had the demons34And behold, the entire city went out to meet Jesus. And having seen him, they petitioned him, so that he would cross from their borders
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on trust in God's providence and His power over adversity. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abraham, who, at 100 years old, faces a difficult decision regarding Hagar and Ishmael. Trusting in God's promise, Abraham sends them away, and through divine intervention, they find sustenance in the wilderness. This story underscores Abraham's faith and God's unwavering care, even in challenging circumstances.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus confronting demonic forces, demonstrating His authority and the profound impact of His ministry. The demons, fearing torment, plead with Jesus, who casts them into a herd of pigs. This event highlights Jesus' power over evil and the varied reactions to His presence, from fear to awe. Together, these readings remind us of the importance of trusting God's plan and recognizing His sovereignty over all challenges.
In our daily lives, these stories encourage us to embrace faith in God's providence, especially during difficult decisions and trials. Just as Abraham trusted God and Jesus demonstrated divine authority, we too can find strength in knowing that God's power and care are ever-present. Let us cultivate this trust, allowing it to guide us through life's uncertainties, and remember that God's plan, though sometimes unclear, is always for our good.