Daily Readings - Tue Jul 02 2024
Amos
1Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?4Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?5Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?6Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.8The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Matthew
23And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, trust, and God’s providence. In the first reading from the prophet Amos, we hear a stern warning to Israel, a people who have turned away from God despite the many blessings they have received. Amos uses vivid imagery—a lion’s roar, a bird in a snare, a trumpet sounding in the city—to emphasize that nothing happens without God’s knowledge or will. He reminds Israel that their prosperity is a gift from God, and their refusal to return to Him will have consequences. This passage is a call to repentance, urging the people to acknowledge their sins and turn back to the Lord before it is too late.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different scene. Jesus and His disciples are on a boat in the midst of a violent storm. While the disciples are consumed by fear, Jesus is at peace, sleeping in the boat. When they awaken Him, He calms the storm with a word, demonstrating His authority over creation. The disciples are left in awe, wondering, “What kind of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” This passage reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God, even in the midst of turmoil.
Both readings, though seemingly different, are connected by the theme of trust in God. Amos warns us that turning away from God leads to chaos and destruction, while the Gospel shows us that faith in God brings peace and order. In our own lives, we often face storms—whether personal struggles, uncertainties, or challenges in our relationships. Like the disciples, we may feel overwhelmed and afraid, but Jesus is always with us, even when He seems asleep. His presence in our lives is a reminder that He is in control, and we need only to trust in Him.
Let us take a moment to reflect on our own faith. Do we, like the disciples, cry out to the Lord in times of trouble, or do we try to navigate the storms on our own? Amos’ warning to Israel is also a warning to us: we must not take God’s blessings for granted or ignore His call to repentance. Instead, let us cultivate a deeper trust in God’s providence, knowing that He is always working for our good, even when we cannot see it. May we, like the disciples, come to know Jesus more deeply and say with wonder, “What kind of man is this?”—a man who is our Lord, our Savior, and our peace in every storm.