Daily Readings - Wed Jun 26 2024
2 Kings
8And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.9And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD."10Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king.11When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,13"Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
1Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him.2And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.3And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.
Matthew
15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the importance of remaining true to God’s word and the transformative power it holds in our lives. In the first reading from 2 Kings, we see King Josiah’s response to the discovery of the Book of the Law. After hearing the words of the covenant, Josiah tears his garments in repentance and leads his people in renewing their commitment to the Lord. This moment of humility and leadership highlights the urgency of returning to God when we drift away from His teachings. The reading also emphasizes the role of leaders and individuals alike in seeking God’s will and taking action to align their lives with His commandments.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us about false prophets who appear harmless but lead others astray. He teaches us to discern their true nature by their fruits—their actions and the consequences of their words. This is a call to spiritual vigilance and authenticity. Just as a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, a true follower of God will produce works that reflect His love and truth. Jesus invites us to examine our own lives and the influences around us, ensuring that we remain rooted in His teachings and bear fruit that glorifies Him.
Both readings challenge us to live with integrity and faithfulness. Like King Josiah, we are called to humble ourselves before God’s word and allow it to shape our decisions and actions. Like Jesus’ warning, we must be mindful of the voices we follow and the example we set for others. In a world filled with distractions and false promises, let us turn to God’s word as our guiding light. May we produce fruits of love, justice, and mercy, and may our lives reflect the transformative power of His covenant.