Daily Readings - Wed Jul 01 2020
Amos
14Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.15Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.21I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.22Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.23Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.24But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Matthew
28And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?30And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.31So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.32And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.33And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.34And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Sermon
The first reading from the prophet Amos calls us to seek good and reject evil, reminding us that true worship of God is not about outward rituals but about living justly and loving mercy. Amos condemns the hollow religious practices of his time, where people went through the motions of sacrifice and celebration but neglected justice and compassion. He warns that God despises such hypocrisy and calls us instead to live in a way that reflects His justice and love. The reading challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring that our faith is not just a matter of external observance but a transformative force in our lives.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a dramatic encounter between Jesus and two demon-possessed men. The demons, recognizing Jesus’ authority, beg Him not to torment them before their time. Jesus, in His mercy, allows them to enter a herd of swine, which then rush to their destruction. The people of the region, though witnesses to this miraculous display of power, ask Jesus to leave, perhaps out of fear or misunderstanding. This story underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of God over evil. It also highlights the human tendency to recoil from God’s presence when we do not fully understand or welcome His transformative work in our lives.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of true worship and the call to live as children of God. Amos reminds us that our relationship with God must be rooted in justice, compassion, and integrity, while Matthew shows us the liberating power of Jesus over sin and evil. In our daily lives, we are called to seek good, reject evil, and open ourselves to the transformative power of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Are our actions and choices reflecting God’s justice and love? Are we willing to let go of sin and allow Christ to free us from the forces that bind us? May we strive to live in such a way that our faith is not merely outward but a deep, life-changing encounter with the living God.