Daily Readings - Wed Jul 01 2020
Amos
14Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said.15Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.21"I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.22Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.23Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.24But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Matthew
28And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.29And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"30Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them.31And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs."32And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.33The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.34And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Sermon
The first reading from the prophet Amos calls us to seek good and reject evil, reminding us that true worship of God is not about outward rituals but about living justly and loving mercy. Amos condemns the hollow religious practices of his time, where people went through the motions of sacrifice and celebration but neglected justice and compassion. He warns that God despises such hypocrisy and calls us instead to live in a way that reflects His justice and love. The reading challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring that our faith is not just a matter of external observance but a transformative force in our lives.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a dramatic encounter between Jesus and two demon-possessed men. The demons, recognizing Jesus’ authority, beg Him not to torment them before their time. Jesus, in His mercy, allows them to enter a herd of swine, which then rush to their destruction. The people of the region, though witnesses to this miraculous display of power, ask Jesus to leave, perhaps out of fear or misunderstanding. This story underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of God over evil. It also highlights the human tendency to recoil from God’s presence when we do not fully understand or welcome His transformative work in our lives.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of true worship and the call to live as children of God. Amos reminds us that our relationship with God must be rooted in justice, compassion, and integrity, while Matthew shows us the liberating power of Jesus over sin and evil. In our daily lives, we are called to seek good, reject evil, and open ourselves to the transformative power of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Are our actions and choices reflecting God’s justice and love? Are we willing to let go of sin and allow Christ to free us from the forces that bind us? May we strive to live in such a way that our faith is not merely outward but a deep, life-changing encounter with the living God.