Daily Readings - Wed Jun 26 2024
2 Kings
8Then Hilkiah, the high priest, said to Shaphan, the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord." And Hilkiah gave the volume to Shaphan, and he read it9Also, Shaphan, the scribe, went to the king, and reported to him what he had instructed. And he said: "Your servants have brought together the money which was found in the house of the Lord. And they have given it so that it would be distributed to the workers by the overseers of the works of the temple of the Lord.10Also, Shaphan, the scribe, explained to the king, saying, "Hilkiah, the priest, gave the book to me." And when Shaphan had read it before the king11and the king had heard the words of the book of the law of the Lord, he tore his garments12And he instructed Hilkiah, the priest, and Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Achbor, the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan, the scribe, and Asaiah, the servant of the king, saying13"Go and consult the Lord concerning me, and the people, and all of Judah, about the words of this volume which has been found. For the great wrath of the Lord has been kindled against us because our fathers did not listen to the words of this book, so that they would do all that has been written for us.
1And they reported to the king what she had said. And he sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him2And the king ascended to the temple of the Lord. And with him were all the men of Judah and all who were living in Jerusalem: the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, from the small to the great. And in the hearing of everyone, he read all the words of the book of the covenant, which was found in the house of the Lord3And the king stood upon the step. And he struck a covenant before the Lord, so that they would walk after the Lord, and keep his precepts and testimonies and ceremonies, with all their heart and with all their soul, and so that they would carry out the words of this covenant, which had been written in that book. And the people agreed to the covenant
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 remind us of the importance of remaining true to God’s word and the transformative power it holds in our lives. In the first reading from 2 Kings, we see King Josiah’s response to the discovery of the Book of the Law. After hearing the words of the covenant, Josiah tears his garments in repentance and leads his people in renewing their commitment to the Lord. This moment of humility and leadership highlights the urgency of returning to God when we drift away from His teachings. The reading also emphasizes the role of leaders and individuals alike in seeking God’s will and taking action to align their lives with His commandments.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us about false prophets who appear harmless but lead others astray. He teaches us to discern their true nature by their fruits—their actions and the consequences of their words. This is a call to spiritual vigilance and authenticity. Just as a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, a true follower of God will produce works that reflect His love and truth. Jesus invites us to examine our own lives and the influences around us, ensuring that we remain rooted in His teachings and bear fruit that glorifies Him.
Both readings challenge us to live with integrity and faithfulness. Like King Josiah, we are called to humble ourselves before God’s word and allow it to shape our decisions and actions. Like Jesus’ warning, we must be mindful of the voices we follow and the example we set for others. In a world filled with distractions and false promises, let us turn to God’s word as our guiding light. May we produce fruits of love, justice, and mercy, and may our lives reflect the transformative power of His covenant.