Daily Readings - Thu Jun 30 2022
Amos
10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.11For thus Amos has said, "'Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.'"12And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there,13but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."14Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.15But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'16Now therefore hear the word of the LORD. "You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.'17Therefore Thus says the LORD: "'Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided up with a measuring line; you yourself shall die in an unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.'"
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 powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of divine authority, faith, and the consequences of our responses to God's message.
The first reading from Amos recounts the prophet's confrontation with Amaziah, a priest who rejects Amos' warnings of impending judgment. Amos, a humble herdsman called by God, insists that his prophetic role is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. His message of repentance is met with hostility, leading to dire consequences for Amaziah and Israel. This passage underscores the importance of heeding God's voice and the gravity of rejecting His truth.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus healing a paralytic, first forgiving his sins and then restoring his physical health. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority but also highlights the inseparable connection between spiritual and physical healing. The scribes' skepticism contrasts with the crowd's awe, illustrating the varied responses to God's work. Jesus' actions affirm His power to forgive sins and heal, challenging us to trust in His authority and grace.
These readings connect through their emphasis on faith and obedience. Amos' rejection leads to darkness, while the paralytic's faith leads to light and healing. Both stories call us to recognize God's authority in our lives. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace humility and faith, allowing God's truth to transform us. The moral lesson is clear: rejecting God's message can lead to spiritual decay, while embracing it brings healing and grace. Let us approach God with open hearts, trusting in His power to forgive and restore us.