Daily Readings - Tue Jun 22 2021
Genesis
2Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.5And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,6so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,7and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.8Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.9Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left."10And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)11So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.12Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.13Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.14The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,15for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.16I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.17Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you."18So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
Matthew
6"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.12"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.13"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected themes: the importance of wise choices and the call to live according to God’s plan. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abram and Lot, who must separate their households due to the abundance of their possessions. Abram, demonstrating humility and trust in God, allows Lot to choose the more fertile land near Sodom. Though Lot’s choice seems advantageous, it ultimately leads him into a place of wickedness. Abram, on the other hand, remains faithful, and God renews His promise to him, assuring him of a future filled with blessing.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasizes the importance of discernment and living according to the narrow path. He warns against giving what is sacred to those who would not appreciate it and reminds us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus then contrasts the wide and easy road that leads to destruction with the narrow and difficult path that leads to life. Few, He says, will find this narrow way.
These readings invite us to reflect on the choices we make in our own lives. Like Abram, we are called to trust in God’s providence, even when it requires sacrifice or humility. Like Lot, we must be cautious not to be seduced by worldly attractions that may lead us away from God’s will. Jesus’ teachings remind us that our decisions have consequences and that living as His disciples requires us to choose the path that aligns with His teachings, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to walk the narrow way, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life and seeking to live in a way that reflects His love and truth.