Daily Readings - Tue Jul 21 2020
Micah
14Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.15According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.20Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
Matthew
46While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the boundless mercy of God and the transformative power of living in accordance with His will. In the first reading from Micah, we hear the prophet’s heartfelt plea for God to shepherd His people with the same care and mercy that He has shown throughout history. Micah reminds us of God’s faithfulness, recalling the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, and expresses trust in God’s promise to cast our sins into the depths of the sea. This passage is a beautiful expression of hope and trust in a God who is always willing to show mercy, even when we fall short.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family and relationships. When his mother and brothers approach him, Jesus uses the moment to teach about the true meaning of kinship. He declares that anyone who does the will of His Father in heaven is His brother, sister, and mother. This teaching challenges us to look beyond biological ties and to see our spiritual family as those who share a commitment to living out God’s will. It reminds us that our relationships are not limited to blood but are defined by our shared faith and our efforts to live as disciples of Christ.
These readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Micah’s emphasis on mercy encourages us to approach God with humility and trust, knowing that He is always ready to forgive. Jesus’ teaching on spiritual kinship invites us to build relationships rooted in love, compassion, and a shared commitment to following God’s will. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that reflects God’s mercy and love? Am I building a community of faith where everyone feels welcome and valued? May we strive to be part of that spiritual family, united in our pursuit of holiness and our trust in God’s infinite love.