Daily Readings - Tue Jul 01 2025
Genesis
15And when it was morning, the Angels compelled him, saying, "Arise, take your wife, and the two daughters that you have, lest you also should perish amid the wickedness of the city.16And, since he ignored them, they took his hand, and the hand of his wife, as well as that of his two daughters, because the Lord was sparing him17And they brought him out, and placed him beyond the city. And there they spoke to him, saying: "Save your life. Do not look not back. Neither should you stay in the entire surrounding region. But save yourself in the mountain, lest you also should perish.18And Lot said to them: "I beg you, my lord19though your servant has found grace before you, and you have magnified your mercy, which you have shown to me in saving my life, I cannot be saved on the mountain, lest perhaps some misfortune take hold of me and I die20There is a certain city nearby, to which I can flee; it is a little one, and I will be saved in it. Is it not a modest one, and will not my soul live?21And he said to him: "Behold, even now, I have heard your petitions about this, not to overturn the city on behalf of which you have spoken22Hurry and be saved there. For I cannot do anything until you enter there." For this reason, the name of that city is called Zoar23The sun had risen over the land, and Lot had entered into Zoar24Therefore, the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire, from the Lord, out of heaven25And he overturned these cities, and all the surrounding region: all the inhabitants of the cities, and everything that springs from the land26And his wife, looking behind herself, was turned into a statue of salt27Then Abraham, rising up in the morning, in the place where he had stood before with the Lord28looked out toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and the entire land of that region. And he saw embers rising up from the land like smoke from a furnace29For when God overthrew the cities of that region, remembering Abraham, he freed Lot from the overthrow of the cities, in which he had dwelt
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith and trust in God's providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Lot and his family fleeing Sodom as the city faces destruction. The angels urge Lot to escape without looking back, a command his wife tragically disobeys, turning her into a pillar of salt. This story underscores the gravity of God's judgment and the importance of heeding divine warnings. The second reading from Matthew describes Jesus calming a tempest while aboard a boat with his disciples. Despite the turmoil, Jesus demonstrates his divine authority by commanding the winds and sea to still, leaving the disciples in awe.
Both narratives highlight the theme of trust and faith. In Genesis, Lot's hesitation and his wife's glance back symbolize the human tendency to cling to the familiar, even when it is sinful. Conversely, the disciples in Matthew, though fearful, turn to Jesus for salvation, illustrating the need to trust in God's power and care. These stories remind us that faith is not merely belief but also action—moving forward without looking back and trusting in God's plan, even in the face of uncertainty.
In our daily lives, we often face storms, whether literal or metaphorical. Like the disciples, we may feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, but Jesus' words, "Why are you afraid, O little in faith?" invite us to examine our trust in God. Like Lot, we may be tempted to hold on to what is familiar or comfortable, even when it is not in line with God's will. These readings encourage us to move forward with courage, trusting in God's providence and guidance. Let us strive to deepen our faith, knowing that God is always with us, even in the midst of turmoil, and that He will lead us to safety if we trust in Him.