Daily Readings - Fri Jun 26 2020
2 Kings
1And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.2And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.3And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.4And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.5And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.6So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.7And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.8And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:9And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.10And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.11Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.12But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
Matthew
1When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.3And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.4And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the human condition and God's redemptive love. The first reading from 2 Kings recounts the fall of Jerusalem, a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The destruction of the Temple and the exile of the people underscore the gravity of sin and the importance of remaining faithful. This historical event serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to examine our own relationship with God and the societal structures that can lead to such downfall.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a stark contrast with the story of Jesus healing a leper. This encounter highlights Jesus's compassion and power, demonstrating that He is the ultimate healer of both body and soul. The leper's humility and faith are key to his healing, illustrating the transformative power of trust in God. Jesus's instruction to the leper to follow the proper rituals also emphasizes obedience and the importance of integrating faith into everyday life.
These readings remind us that while sin can lead to spiritual exile, God's mercy offers redemption. Like the leper, we are called to approach Jesus with humility and faith, seeking healing and reconciliation. In our daily lives, this means acknowledging our shortcomings, trusting in God's plan, and living with obedience and compassion. The moral lesson is clear: through faith and humility, we can experience God's transformative mercy, restoring us to full life in Him.