Daily Readings - Fri Jun 25 2021
Genesis
1When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,5No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.9And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.10This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.15And God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.16I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."17Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"18And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!"19God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.20As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.21But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year."22When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God’s covenant relationship with humanity. In the first reading from Genesis, we hear the story of God’s promise to Abraham, where God establishes a covenant with him, changing his name from Abram to Abraham and instituting circumcision as a sign of that covenant. Abraham, though initially doubting and even laughing at the promise of a son in his old age, ultimately places his trust in God’s plan. The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this by showing Jesus’ compassion and authority in healing a leper. The leper approaches Jesus with humility and faith, acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal, and Jesus responds with mercy and a touch that restores him.
The context of these readings is rooted in the larger narrative of God’s relationship with His people. In Genesis, we see the beginning of God’s covenant with Abraham, who is called to be the father of a great nation. This covenant is not just a promise but a commitment that requires faith and obedience from Abraham. In Matthew, we see the fulfillment of God’s covenant in Jesus, who embodies God’s mercy and healing power. The leper’s encounter with Jesus reflects the same kind of faith and trust that Abraham exhibits, despite his doubts.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt. Abraham’s laughter at the promise of a son shows that even the great figures of faith struggle with God’s plans. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that we are called to trust in God’s fidelity. The leper in the Gospel does not question whether Jesus can heal him; he simply asks with humility and confidence. For us, this means approaching God with the same humility and trust, even when life seems uncertain or impossible. We are called to walk in God’s sight, as Abraham did, and to have faith that His promises will be fulfilled in His time.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on where we place our trust. Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unlikely or difficult? Do we approach Him with the humility and faith of the leper? Let us remember that God’s covenant with us is one of love and mercy, and that He is always faithful to His promises. May we, like Abraham and the leper, respond to God’s call with trust and obedience, knowing that He is the Almighty God who walks with us always.