Daily Readings - Fri Jun 24 2022
Ezekiel
11For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.13And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.14I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.15I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
Romans
5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Luke
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful imagery of God's love and mercy. Ezekiel portrays God as a shepherd seeking His scattered sheep, promising to bring them back and care for them. This reflects God's commitment to His people during their exile, offering hope and restoration. Romans elaborates on this love through Christ's sacrifice, emphasizing that His death reconciles sinners to God, a gift of grace that surpasses human understanding. The Gospel from Luke uses a parable of a shepherd rejoicing over a found sheep to illustrate the joy in heaven over a sinner's repentance, highlighting God's mercy and compassion.
These readings connect through the theme of seeking and saving the lost. Ezekiel's shepherd metaphor is mirrored in Luke's parable, while Romans provides the theological foundation, showing Christ as the ultimate shepherd who seeks the lost through His sacrifice. This connection underscores the depth of God's love and the importance of reconciliation.
Applying this to our lives, we are called to embody this compassion. We should seek to bring others to God's love and examine our own faith journey, recognizing the boundless mercy extended to us. The moral lesson is clear: God's love knows no limits, and we are urged to approach Him with humility and openness, embracing His grace in our lives.