Daily Readings - Thu Jul 01 2021
Genesis
1After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."2He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."3So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.4On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.5Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."6And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.7And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"8Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.9When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.10Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.11But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."12He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."13And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.14So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."15And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven16and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,17I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,18and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."19So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
Matthew
1And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.2And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven."3And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."4But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?5For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he then said to the paralytic--"Rise, pick up your bed and go home."7And he rose and went home.8When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God. The first reading from Genesis presents the dramatic story of Abraham being tested by God. Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. This test pushes Abraham to the limits of his faith, yet he trusts in God's promise and provision. Ultimately, God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, reinforcing the theme of divine providence and the depth of Abraham's faith.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a complementary narrative of faith and trust. Jesus encounters a paralytic man and, seeing the faith of those who brought him, forgives his sins and heals his body. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' authority to forgive sins but also highlights the connection between spiritual and physical healing. The crowd's response of fear and glorification of God underscores the awe-inspiring nature of Jesus' power and mercy.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we trust in God's plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging. Abraham's willingness to obey God, despite the apparent absurdity of the command, teaches us to trust in divine providence. Similarly, the paralytic and his companions show us the power of persistent faith and the importance of seeking spiritual healing alongside physical restoration. In our daily lives, we are called to emulate this trust, surrendering our fears and doubts to God's loving care. May we, like Abraham and the paralytic, allow our faith to guide us, knowing that God sees, provides, and heals in ways beyond our understanding.