Daily Readings - Fri Jun 25 2021
Genesis
1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.5Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.9And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.15And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.16And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?18And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!19And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.20And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.21But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.22And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God’s covenant relationship with humanity. In the first reading from Genesis, we hear the story of God’s promise to Abraham, where God establishes a covenant with him, changing his name from Abram to Abraham and instituting circumcision as a sign of that covenant. Abraham, though initially doubting and even laughing at the promise of a son in his old age, ultimately places his trust in God’s plan. The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this by showing Jesus’ compassion and authority in healing a leper. The leper approaches Jesus with humility and faith, acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal, and Jesus responds with mercy and a touch that restores him.
The context of these readings is rooted in the larger narrative of God’s relationship with His people. In Genesis, we see the beginning of God’s covenant with Abraham, who is called to be the father of a great nation. This covenant is not just a promise but a commitment that requires faith and obedience from Abraham. In Matthew, we see the fulfillment of God’s covenant in Jesus, who embodies God’s mercy and healing power. The leper’s encounter with Jesus reflects the same kind of faith and trust that Abraham exhibits, despite his doubts.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt. Abraham’s laughter at the promise of a son shows that even the great figures of faith struggle with God’s plans. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that we are called to trust in God’s fidelity. The leper in the Gospel does not question whether Jesus can heal him; he simply asks with humility and confidence. For us, this means approaching God with the same humility and trust, even when life seems uncertain or impossible. We are called to walk in God’s sight, as Abraham did, and to have faith that His promises will be fulfilled in His time.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on where we place our trust. Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unlikely or difficult? Do we approach Him with the humility and faith of the leper? Let us remember that God’s covenant with us is one of love and mercy, and that He is always faithful to His promises. May we, like Abraham and the leper, respond to God’s call with trust and obedience, knowing that He is the Almighty God who walks with us always.