Daily Readings - Thu Jun 30 2022
Amos
10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.11For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.12Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:13But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.14Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:15And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.16Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.17Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
Matthew
1And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.3And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?5For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.7And he arose, and departed to his house.8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of divine authority, faith, and the consequences of our responses to God's message.
The first reading from Amos recounts the prophet's confrontation with Amaziah, a priest who rejects Amos' warnings of impending judgment. Amos, a humble herdsman called by God, insists that his prophetic role is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. His message of repentance is met with hostility, leading to dire consequences for Amaziah and Israel. This passage underscores the importance of heeding God's voice and the gravity of rejecting His truth.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus healing a paralytic, first forgiving his sins and then restoring his physical health. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority but also highlights the inseparable connection between spiritual and physical healing. The scribes' skepticism contrasts with the crowd's awe, illustrating the varied responses to God's work. Jesus' actions affirm His power to forgive sins and heal, challenging us to trust in His authority and grace.
These readings connect through their emphasis on faith and obedience. Amos' rejection leads to darkness, while the paralytic's faith leads to light and healing. Both stories call us to recognize God's authority in our lives. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace humility and faith, allowing God's truth to transform us. The moral lesson is clear: rejecting God's message can lead to spiritual decay, while embracing it brings healing and grace. Let us approach God with open hearts, trusting in His power to forgive and restore us.