Daily Readings - Sun Jul 17 2022

¹And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.²He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth³and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.⁴Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,⁵while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said."⁶And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."⁷And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.⁸Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.⁹They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent."¹⁰The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Colossians

Chapter 1

²⁴Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,²⁵of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,²⁶the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.²⁷To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.²⁸Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Luke

Chapter 10

³⁸Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.⁴⁰But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."⁴¹But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,⁴²but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter three distinct yet interconnected narratives that guide us toward a balanced and spiritually rich life. The first reading from Genesis presents Abraham's encounter with three divine visitors. His eagerness to serve and his hospitality lead to a profound promise—the birth of a son to Sarah, a pivotal moment in the story of salvation. This narrative underscores the themes of hospitality and trust in God's promises. The second reading from Colossians shifts our focus to Paul's mission. He writes about his sufferings for the Church and the revelation of the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul's dedication to spreading the Gospel emphasizes the importance of service and teaching in our spiritual journey, urging us to guide others toward perfection in Christ. The Gospel from Luke introduces Martha and Mary, two sisters who embody different aspects of Christian life. Martha's active service contrasts with Mary's contemplative listening. Jesus' response highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment, reminding us that while service is good, listening and focusing on God is essential. These readings collectively teach us to balance action and contemplation. Like Abraham, we are called to be hospitable and trusting. Like Paul, we are urged to serve and teach. And like Mary, we must make time for spiritual focus. In our daily lives, this means finding moments for prayer amidst our duties, trusting in God's plan, and embracing both service and reflection. Let us strive to live this balanced life, where hospitality, service, and spiritual nourishment guide us toward a deeper connection with God.