Daily Readings - Sun Jul 28 2019
Genesis
20Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave,21I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."22So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.23Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?24Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?25Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"26And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake."27Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.28Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."29Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it."30Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there."31He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it."32Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."
Colossians
12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Luke
1Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."2And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.3Give us each day our daily bread,4and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';7and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of prayer, salvation, and trust in God's goodness. The first reading from Genesis portrays Abraham as an intercessor, negotiating with God for the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. This dialogue highlights Abraham's deep concern for others and his boldness in prayer, demonstrating how we, too, can intercede for those around us.
The second reading from Colossians shifts our focus to the theological foundation of our faith. Through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, signifying our spiritual rebirth. This union with Christ not only forgives our sins but also empowers us to approach God with confidence, knowing we are clothed in His righteousness.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing persistence and trust in God's fatherly care. The parable of the midnight request illustrates that our heavenly Father, unlike the reluctant friend, is always willing to give us what we need. This teaching encourages us to pray with persistence and faith, trusting in God's goodness and provision.
These readings remind us that prayer is not just a ritual but a dynamic dialogue with God. Like Abraham, we can intercede for others, and through our union with Christ, we have the assurance of being heard. As we navigate life's challenges, let us embrace the power of prayer, trusting in God's faithfulness and goodness. May our prayers be persistent, our faith unwavering, and our trust in God's providence unshakeable.