Daily Readings - Fri Aug 04 2023
Leviticus
1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,4These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.5In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover.6And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.7In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.8But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.9And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,10Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:11And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.15And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:16Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.27Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.34Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.35On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.36Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.37These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
Matthew
54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?55Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on faith and community. The first reading from Leviticus details the sacred feasts of the Israelites, each a testament to God's presence and action in their history. These feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Atonement, and Tabernacles—served as moments for the Israelites to remember their liberation, the harvest, and their covenant with God. They were not just historical commemorations but living encounters with the divine, meant to sanctify and transform the people.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus returning to his hometown, where his teachings and miracles are met with skepticism. The people's familiarity with Jesus as "the son of a carpenter" leads to unbelief, limiting his ability to perform miracles. This narrative highlights the challenge of recognizing the sacred in the familiar and the prophetic in our midst. It invites us to reflect on how our own familiarity with faith can sometimes breed complacency or unbelief.
These readings remind us to maintain a sense of awe and reverence in our spiritual lives. Just as the Israelites set aside time to remember God's actions, we should regularly reflect on God's presence in our lives. Let us avoid the unbelief that hinders spiritual growth and remain open to recognizing God's work, even in unexpected or familiar places. May we embrace the sacred moments and encounters, allowing them to transform us and deepen our faith.