Daily Readings - Wed Jun 26 2019
Genesis
1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.2And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.4And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.6And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.7And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.8And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?9And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.10And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.11And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.12And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Matthew
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Genesis recounts God's covenant with Abram, where God promises him land and numerous descendants. Abram's unwavering trust in God, despite the challenges, exemplifies the kind of faith we are called to embrace. This passage reminds us that our trust in God's promises is a cornerstone of our faith, even when the future seems uncertain.
The Gospel from Matthew cautions us against false prophets, urging us to discern their true nature by their actions, or "fruits." Jesus teaches us that just as a tree is known by its fruit, so too are spiritual leaders. This passage emphasizes the importance of discernment in our lives, encouraging us to seek guidance from those who embody goodness and truth.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the interplay between faith and discernment. Abram's story shows us that trusting God's plan leads to profound blessings, while Matthew's warning reminds us to remain vigilant in our choices. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's promises and to wisely discern the influences around us, ensuring that we follow those who bear the fruits of righteousness. Let us strive to cultivate this faith and discernment, allowing God's light to guide us on our path.