Daily Readings - Sat Jun 28 2025
Genesis
1And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth3and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,5while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said."6And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."7And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.9They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent."10The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.12So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?"13The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'14Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."15But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."
Matthew
5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,6"Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly."7And he said to him, "I will come and heal him."8But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."10When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,12while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."13And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.14And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.15He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.16That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.17This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hospitality, faith, and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Genesis, Abraham encounters three mysterious visitors and extends to them extraordinary hospitality, offering food and shelter. Despite Sarah’s initial doubt and laughter at the promise of a son in her old age, God reaffirms His promise, emphasizing that nothing is impossible for Him. This passage reminds us of the importance of trusting God’s plan, even when it seems beyond human understanding.
In the Gospel, we meet a Roman centurion who approaches Jesus with humility and faith, seeking healing for his servant. The centurion’s remarkable faith is highlighted as he acknowledges his unworthiness and recognizes Jesus’ authority over all things. Jesus, moved by this faith, heals the servant and commends the centurion as an example of faith greater than what He has found in Israel. This passage challenges us to examine our own faith—do we trust God’s power and providence in our lives, even when circumstances seem impossible?
Both readings call us to live with hospitality, humility, and unwavering faith. Like Abraham, we are invited to welcome God and others into our lives with generosity and openness. Like the centurion, we are encouraged to trust in God’s power and mercy, even when we feel unworthy or when the challenges before us seem insurmountable. May we, like these examples, allow God to work through us and in us, trusting that He can bring light and healing into even the darkest corners of our lives.