Daily Readings - Tue Jul 02 2024
Amos
1Listen to the word which the Lord has spoken about you, sons of Israel, concerning the whole family that I led out of the land of Egypt, saying2I have known only you in such a way, out of all the families of the earth. For this reason, I will visit upon you all your iniquities3Will two walk together, unless they have agreed to do so4Will a lion roar in the forest, unless he has prey? Will the lion’s young cry out from his den, unless he has taken something5Will a bird fall into a snare on the ground, if there is no bird-catcher? Will a snare be taken away from the ground, before it has caught something6Will the trumpet sound in a city, and the people not become frightened? Will there be disaster in a city, which the Lord has not done7For the Lord God does not fulfill his word, unless he has revealed his secret to his servants the prophets8The lion will roar, who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken, who will not prophesy
Matthew
23And climbing into a boat, his disciples followed him24And behold, a great tempest occurred in the sea, so much so that the boat was covered with waves; yet truly, he was sleeping25And his disciples drew near to him, and they awakened him, saying: "Lord, save us, we are perishing.26And Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid, O little in faith?" Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea. And a great tranquility occurred27Moreover, the men wondered, saying: "What kind of man is this? For even the winds and the sea obey him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, trust, and God’s providence. In the first reading from the prophet Amos, we hear a stern warning to Israel, a people who have turned away from God despite the many blessings they have received. Amos uses vivid imagery—a lion’s roar, a bird in a snare, a trumpet sounding in the city—to emphasize that nothing happens without God’s knowledge or will. He reminds Israel that their prosperity is a gift from God, and their refusal to return to Him will have consequences. This passage is a call to repentance, urging the people to acknowledge their sins and turn back to the Lord before it is too late.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different scene. Jesus and His disciples are on a boat in the midst of a violent storm. While the disciples are consumed by fear, Jesus is at peace, sleeping in the boat. When they awaken Him, He calms the storm with a word, demonstrating His authority over creation. The disciples are left in awe, wondering, “What kind of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” This passage reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God, even in the midst of turmoil.
Both readings, though seemingly different, are connected by the theme of trust in God. Amos warns us that turning away from God leads to chaos and destruction, while the Gospel shows us that faith in God brings peace and order. In our own lives, we often face storms—whether personal struggles, uncertainties, or challenges in our relationships. Like the disciples, we may feel overwhelmed and afraid, but Jesus is always with us, even when He seems asleep. His presence in our lives is a reminder that He is in control, and we need only to trust in Him.
Let us take a moment to reflect on our own faith. Do we, like the disciples, cry out to the Lord in times of trouble, or do we try to navigate the storms on our own? Amos’ warning to Israel is also a warning to us: we must not take God’s blessings for granted or ignore His call to repentance. Instead, let us cultivate a deeper trust in God’s providence, knowing that He is always working for our good, even when we cannot see it. May we, like the disciples, come to know Jesus more deeply and say with wonder, “What kind of man is this?”—a man who is our Lord, our Savior, and our peace in every storm.