Daily Readings - Mon Jun 30 2025
Genesis
16Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way.17The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,18seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?19For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."20Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave,21I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."22So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.23Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?24Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?25Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"26And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake."27Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.28Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."29Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it."30Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there."31He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it."32Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."33And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
Matthew
18Now when Jesus saw a great crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.19And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."20And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."21Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."22And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on justice, compassion, and discipleship. The first reading from Genesis 18:16-33 presents Abraham interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah, negotiating with God to spare the cities if there are righteous people. This highlights Abraham's deep compassion and his unique relationship with God, emphasizing the balance between justice and mercy. The context is set amidst the sinfulness of Sodom, where God contemplates destruction, and Abraham's plea underscores the importance of advocating for justice tempered with mercy.
The Gospel reading, Matthew 8:18-22, shifts focus to Jesus teaching on discipleship. Jesus is approached by a scribe eager to follow him anywhere and a disciple requesting to bury his father first. Jesus' responses emphasize the radical commitment required to follow him, prioritizing spiritual duties over worldly concerns. This teaches us about the absolute dedication needed to be a disciple of Christ, without letting life's distractions hinder our faith journey.
Both readings connect through themes of justice, compassion, and commitment. Abraham's negotiation exemplifies standing up for justice with mercy, while Jesus' teachings highlight the necessity of unwavering dedication to faith. In daily life, we are called to balance justice with compassion and commit fully to our spiritual path. The moral lesson is clear: live with justice, show compassion, and embrace the radical commitment of discipleship, trusting in God's plan and prioritizing our spiritual journey above all else.