Daily Readings - Tue Jun 22 2021
Genesis
2And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.5And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.6And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.7And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.8And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.9Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.11Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.12Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.14And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:15For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
Matthew
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected themes: the importance of wise choices and the call to live according to God’s plan. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abram and Lot, who must separate their households due to the abundance of their possessions. Abram, demonstrating humility and trust in God, allows Lot to choose the more fertile land near Sodom. Though Lot’s choice seems advantageous, it ultimately leads him into a place of wickedness. Abram, on the other hand, remains faithful, and God renews His promise to him, assuring him of a future filled with blessing.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasizes the importance of discernment and living according to the narrow path. He warns against giving what is sacred to those who would not appreciate it and reminds us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus then contrasts the wide and easy road that leads to destruction with the narrow and difficult path that leads to life. Few, He says, will find this narrow way.
These readings invite us to reflect on the choices we make in our own lives. Like Abram, we are called to trust in God’s providence, even when it requires sacrifice or humility. Like Lot, we must be cautious not to be seduced by worldly attractions that may lead us away from God’s will. Jesus’ teachings remind us that our decisions have consequences and that living as His disciples requires us to choose the path that aligns with His teachings, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to walk the narrow way, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life and seeking to live in a way that reflects His love and truth.