Daily Readings - Tue Jul 02 2024
Amos
1Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:2"You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.3"Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?4Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?5Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?6Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?7"For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.8The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"
Matthew
23And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.25And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.27And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, trust, and God’s providence. In the first reading from the prophet Amos, we hear a stern warning to Israel, a people who have turned away from God despite the many blessings they have received. Amos uses vivid imagery—a lion’s roar, a bird in a snare, a trumpet sounding in the city—to emphasize that nothing happens without God’s knowledge or will. He reminds Israel that their prosperity is a gift from God, and their refusal to return to Him will have consequences. This passage is a call to repentance, urging the people to acknowledge their sins and turn back to the Lord before it is too late.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different scene. Jesus and His disciples are on a boat in the midst of a violent storm. While the disciples are consumed by fear, Jesus is at peace, sleeping in the boat. When they awaken Him, He calms the storm with a word, demonstrating His authority over creation. The disciples are left in awe, wondering, “What kind of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” This passage reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God, even in the midst of turmoil.
Both readings, though seemingly different, are connected by the theme of trust in God. Amos warns us that turning away from God leads to chaos and destruction, while the Gospel shows us that faith in God brings peace and order. In our own lives, we often face storms—whether personal struggles, uncertainties, or challenges in our relationships. Like the disciples, we may feel overwhelmed and afraid, but Jesus is always with us, even when He seems asleep. His presence in our lives is a reminder that He is in control, and we need only to trust in Him.
Let us take a moment to reflect on our own faith. Do we, like the disciples, cry out to the Lord in times of trouble, or do we try to navigate the storms on our own? Amos’ warning to Israel is also a warning to us: we must not take God’s blessings for granted or ignore His call to repentance. Instead, let us cultivate a deeper trust in God’s providence, knowing that He is always working for our good, even when we cannot see it. May we, like the disciples, come to know Jesus more deeply and say with wonder, “What kind of man is this?”—a man who is our Lord, our Savior, and our peace in every storm.