Daily Readings - Sun Jul 27 2025
Genesis
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."
Colossians
12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Luke
1Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."2And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.3Give us each day our daily bread,4and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';7and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of prayer, mercy, and trust in God’s justice. The first reading from Genesis presents Abraham’s bold intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, trusting in God’s justice, negotiates with God, seeking to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous. This passage highlights Abraham’s compassion and deep faith, showing how he steps into a mediator role, pleading for mercy.
The second reading from Colossians shifts our focus to the theological reality of our union with Christ through baptism. It emphasizes the forgiveness of sins and the cancellation of our spiritual debt, illustrating God’s grace and the new life we receive through Christ’s resurrection. This passage underscores the transformative power of God’s mercy in our lives.
In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing a personal relationship with the Father. The parable of the persistent friend reinforces the importance of perseverance in prayer, using a human analogy to illustrate God’s responsiveness. Just as a friend will eventually respond to persistence, God, who is infinitely good, will answer our prayers.
These readings interconnect through themes of God’s mercy, justice, and the power of prayer. Abraham’s intercession reflects a form of prayer, seeking mercy for others. Colossians reveals the result of that mercy through Christ, while Luke teaches how to approach God in prayer. Together, they guide us to trust in God’s justice and mercy, encouraging us to be persistent in prayer and to intercede for others.
In our daily lives, these teachings remind us to approach God with faith and persistence, trusting in His goodness. We are called to pray with confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father hears us and desires to give us what is good. Let us embrace the lessons of these readings, deepening our prayer life and trusting in God’s plan, as we strive to live out His mercy and justice in our world.