Daily Readings - Sat Jul 02 2022
Amos
11In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:12That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.13Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.14And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.15And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.
Matthew
14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.16No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.17Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of hope, renewal, and trust in God's plan. The First Reading from Amos paints a vivid picture of restoration, where the tabernacle of David is rebuilt, and Israel prospers once more. This vision, born out of a time of despair, reminds us of God's faithfulness and His promise to restore His people. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who uses the analogy of the groom and new wineskins to illustrate the necessity of embracing newness. He explains that His disciples do not fast because they are in the presence of the bridegroom, symbolizing the joy and renewal He brings.
These readings are intricately connected, as both point to the idea that God's plan often requires us to let go of the old to make way for the new. Amos' prophecy of restoration and Jesus' teaching on new wineskins remind us that our structures and ways of thinking must be open to transformation. Just as old wineskins cannot hold new wine, our hearts and minds must be receptive to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
In our daily lives, this means embracing change and trusting in God's plan, even when it challenges our comfort. We are called to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to bring new life and renewal. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we holding on to old ways that prevent us from fully embracing God's newness? Let us trust in His promise to restore and renew us, just as He has done throughout history. May we have the courage to let go and allow God to work in our lives, leading us to a deeper relationship with Him.