Daily Readings - Fri Jul 06 2018
Amos
4Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,5Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?6That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?9And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:10And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.11Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Matthew
9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages from the Prophet Amos and the Gospel of Matthew, both emphasizing God's deep concern for justice and mercy. Amos condemns the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy, who prioritize profit over righteousness, leading to a spiritual famine—a lack of hearing God's word. In contrast, Matthew's Gospel shows Jesus embracing sinners, calling Matthew, a tax collector, and dining with those marginalized, teaching that mercy is paramount over ritual sacrifice.
These readings are set against the backdrop of societal inequality and religious hypocrisy. Amos speaks during a prosperous yet unjust time in Israel, where the wealthy oppress the poor. Matthew's narrative challenges the Pharisees' strict legalism, highlighting Jesus' mission to the outcasts. Both texts underscore God's desire for justice and compassion over external piety.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on our treatment of others, especially the vulnerable. We must act justly, avoiding exploitation and greed, and instead show mercy and humility. Jesus' example teaches us to reach out to those on the margins, embracing them with love and compassion. The moral lesson is clear: true faith is demonstrated through our commitment to justice and mercy, living as humble and compassionate followers of Christ.