Daily Readings - Tue Jun 30 2020
Amos
1Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:2"You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.3"Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?4Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?5Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?6Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?7"For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.8The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"
Matthew
23And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.25And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.27And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of trust and faith in God's providence. The first reading from the Prophet Amos reminds us that God's relationship with His people is deeply personal and intimate. Amos speaks of God's knowledge of Israel and His desire to lead them out of sin and into a life of fidelity. The prophet uses vivid imagery—lions roaring, birds falling into snares—to emphasize that nothing happens without God's knowledge or purpose. This passage serves as a call to repentance, urging Israel to return to the Lord after experiencing His just judgment. Amos makes it clear that God reveals His plans through His prophets, and we are called to listen and respond.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a complementary message of trust in God's power and care. Jesus, asleep in the boat during a violent storm, is awakened by His terrified disciples. With a word, He calms the winds and the waves, demonstrating His divine authority over creation. The disciples' fear gives way to awe as they ask, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" This episode is not just a display of power but a lesson in faith. Jesus' question to His disciples—"Why are you afraid, O little faith?"—challenges us to examine our own trust in God when we face the storms of life.
Both readings invite us to deepen our relationship with God and to trust in His providence. Amos calls us to listen to God's voice and to repent, while Matthew encourages us to have faith in God's power and care, even in the midst of turmoil. In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by remaining attentive to God's presence, seeking His will, and trusting that He is always with us, even when the waters seem rough. Let us strive to live with the confidence that comes from knowing God's love and care, and may we, like the disciples, come to know more deeply the kind of God we follow.