Daily Readings - Fri Jun 30 2017
Genesis
1When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,5No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.9And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.10This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.15And God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.16I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."17Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"18And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!"19God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.20As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.21But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year."22When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
Matthew
1When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.2And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."3And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.4And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God's unwavering promises. The first reading from Genesis 17 details God's covenant with Abraham, where Abram and Sarai are renamed, symbolizing a new divine relationship. Despite Abraham's doubt due to their advanced age, God assures him of a future filled with blessings, including the birth of Isaac. This passage underscores the theme of trust in God's plan, even when it seems improbable.
The Gospel from Matthew 8:1-4 presents a leper who approaches Jesus with humility and faith, seeking healing. Jesus, moved by compassion, heals him and instructs him to follow the Mosaic law by presenting himself to the priest. This story highlights the power of faith and the importance of obedience, as the leper's trust in Jesus leads to his restoration.
Both readings beautifully intertwine themes of faith and trust in God. Abraham's story reminds us to have faith in God's promises, while the leper's encounter with Jesus illustrates the transformative power of faith. In our daily lives, we are called to trust God's plan, even when faced with uncertainty, and to respond with obedience and gratitude when we experience His grace. Let us embrace this faith, allowing it to guide us in our walk with God, and may we, like the leper, humbly seek His healing touch in our lives.