Daily Readings - Sat Jun 27 2020
Lamentations
2The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.10The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.11Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.12They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.13What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?14Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.18Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.19Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.
Matthew
5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.14And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey from the depths of sorrow to the heights of hope, guided by the timeless wisdom of Scripture. The first reading from Lamentations paints a vivid picture of a people in anguish, mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet's lament is a heartfelt cry to God, expressing the pain of a nation and the failure of its leaders. This text reminds us that suffering is an inherent part of the human experience and that even in the darkest moments, we can turn to God with our raw emotions, trusting in His mercy.
The Gospel from Matthew offers a powerful contrast, presenting Jesus as the healer who brings light into darkness. The centurion's remarkable faith stands out, as he humbly recognizes Jesus' authority and trusts in His word for his servant's healing. This encounter illustrates that faith is not about worthiness but about trust and surrender. Jesus' subsequent healings of Peter's mother-in-law and the demon-possessed demonstrate His compassion and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, emphasizing that Jesus bears our infirmities and diseases.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own experiences of suffering and how we respond to them. Like the centurion, we are called to approach Jesus with humility and faith, trusting in His power to heal and transform. In times of pain, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus not only heals physical ailments but also touches our spirits, offering peace and restoration. Let us embrace the lesson of faith and trust, remembering that even in the midst of lament, Jesus is our hope and healer.