Daily Readings - Sun Jun 21 2020
Jeremiah
10For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! "Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my close friends, watching for my fall. "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him."11But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.12O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.13Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Romans
12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--13for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.14Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
Matthew
26"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.32So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust in God, the reality of sin and grace, and the call to fearless discipleship. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet expresses his suffering at the hands of persecutors but places his trust in God, who is his strong warrior. Jeremiah’s confidence in divine justice and deliverance reminds us that even in the midst of trials, God remains faithful and near. The second reading from Romans provides a theological framework for understanding the human condition. Paul explains how sin and death entered the world through Adam, but through Jesus Christ, grace has abounded even more generously. This passage underscores the profound truth that God’s mercy surpasses the consequences of sin. In the Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples not to fear persecution or death, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. He assures them of God’s providential care, even in the smallest details of their lives, and encourages them to acknowledge him boldly before others.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Jeremiah’s trust in God despite persecution mirrors the Gospel’s call to fearlessness. Both remind us that our ultimate security lies not in human approval but in God’s faithfulness. The passage from Romans bridges these two, offering a theological foundation for why we can trust God: through Christ, grace has triumphed over sin and death. Together, the readings invite us to live with courage and hope, knowing that God’s plan of salvation is at work in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to trust in God’s providence, especially when we face challenges or uncertainties. Like Jeremiah, we may encounter opposition or misunderstanding, but we are called to remain steadfast in our faith. Like the disciples, we are reminded that our worth is not measured by the opinions of others but by the love of our heavenly Father. The moral lesson is clear: do not be afraid to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. Trust in God’s justice, embrace his grace, and live with the confidence that you are loved and valued beyond measure. Let us pray for the courage to acknowledge Christ in all we do, knowing that he will acknowledge us before the Father in heaven.