Daily Readings - Wed Jun 25 2025
Genesis
1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."2But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"3And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir."4And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir."5And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."6And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.7And he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess."8But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?"9He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."10And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half.11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him.17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound moments of faith and discernment. The first reading from Genesis describes God’s covenant with Abram, where Abram, despite uncertainty and the challenges of his circumstances, places his trust in God’s promises. This passage underscores the deep faith Abram has in God’s plan, even when the future seems unclear. The second reading from Matthew’s Gospel offers a cautionary message about false prophets, urging us to discern their true nature by the fruits they bear. Jesus reminds us that the authenticity of a person’s faith is revealed through their actions and the integrity of their lives.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on trust and discernment. Abram’s story shows us how to trust in God’s promises, even when they seem impossible. Jesus, in turn, teaches us to discern the authenticity of those who claim to follow God. Just as Abram relied on God’s faithfulness, we too must rely on God’s wisdom to guide us in recognizing true followers of Christ. This discernment is not about judging others but about seeking the fruits of the Spirit—love, kindness, and humility—in ourselves and others.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when the path ahead is uncertain? Are we bearing fruit that reflects the love and grace of God? May we strive to live with the faith of Abram and the discernment taught by Jesus, so that our lives may be a testament to God’s presence in the world.