Daily Readings - Sun Jun 25 2023
Jeremiah
10For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! "Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my close friends, watching for my fall. "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him."11But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.12O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.13Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Romans
12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--13for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.14Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
Matthew
26"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.32So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on trust, grace, and courage in the face of adversity. The prophet Jeremiah, despite facing persecution and betrayal, places his trust in God, who he knows is his strength. Jeremiah's situation reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God is ever-present, offering us the courage to persevere.
In the second reading, St. Paul explains the profound impact of sin and redemption. Through Adam, sin entered the world, leading to death, but through Christ, grace abounds. This passage highlights the transformative power of God's grace, which surpasses the effects of sin. It encourages us to trust in God's plan of salvation and to live with hope, knowing that His grace is always available to us.
In the Gospel, Jesus instructs His disciples not to fear persecution or death, for they are valued by God. He calls them to acknowledge Him publicly, promising His own acknowledgment before the Father. This teaching challenges us to be bold in our faith, trusting in God's providence and care. Like the sparrows, we are known and loved by God, and we should not fear, for we are worth more than many sparrows.
These readings remind us to trust in God's presence and grace, especially in difficult times. May we, like Jeremiah, place our trust in the Lord, and may we, like the disciples, courageously acknowledge Jesus in our lives. Let us live with hope and faith, knowing that God's grace is always sufficient.