Daily Readings - Fri Jun 26 2020
2 Kings
1And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it.2So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.3On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.4Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king's garden, though the Chaldeans were around the city. And they went in the direction of the Arabah.5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was scattered from him.6Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him.7They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon.8In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month--that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon--Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.9And he burned the house of the LORD and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down.10And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem.11And the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, together with the rest of the multitude, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile.12But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen.
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 the human condition and God's redemptive love. The first reading from 2 Kings recounts the fall of Jerusalem, a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The destruction of the Temple and the exile of the people underscore the gravity of sin and the importance of remaining faithful. This historical event serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to examine our own relationship with God and the societal structures that can lead to such downfall.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a stark contrast with the story of Jesus healing a leper. This encounter highlights Jesus's compassion and power, demonstrating that He is the ultimate healer of both body and soul. The leper's humility and faith are key to his healing, illustrating the transformative power of trust in God. Jesus's instruction to the leper to follow the proper rituals also emphasizes obedience and the importance of integrating faith into everyday life.
These readings remind us that while sin can lead to spiritual exile, God's mercy offers redemption. Like the leper, we are called to approach Jesus with humility and faith, seeking healing and reconciliation. In our daily lives, this means acknowledging our shortcomings, trusting in God's plan, and living with obedience and compassion. The moral lesson is clear: through faith and humility, we can experience God's transformative mercy, restoring us to full life in Him.