Daily Readings - Mon Jul 18 2022
Micah
1Hear what the LORD says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.2Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel.3"O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.6"With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"8He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Matthew
38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."39But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.40For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.41The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.42The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages that guide us toward a deeper understanding of faith and living a virtuous life. The first reading from Micah emphasizes God's call to His people to move beyond mere rituals and sacrifices. Micah highlights that true worship is not about external acts but about living justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. This message was crucial during Micah's time, as Israel had strayed from genuine worship, focusing instead on empty rituals. The passage reminds us that faith must be reflected in our actions, prioritizing justice and compassion.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this by illustrating Jesus' response to the Pharisees' demand for a sign. Jesus points to the sign of Jonah, symbolizing His own resurrection, and compares the current generation unfavorably to the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South, who responded with repentance and wisdom. This underscores that true faith is not about seeking signs but about recognizing and responding to God's presence in our lives. Jesus' message challenges us to look beyond the superficial and to embrace a life of repentance and openness to God's wisdom.
Together, these readings teach us that faith is not merely about external practices or seeking miracles but about living with integrity, justice, and humility. They call us to examine our actions and ensure they reflect God's love and justice. Let us strive to embody this in our daily lives, remembering that true faith is about living a life that honors God through our deeds and our hearts.