Daily Readings - Thu Jul 04 2024

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, obedience, and the authority of God’s word in our lives. In the first reading from the prophet Amos, we see a clear conflict between Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amos, a humble herdsman called by God to prophesy, is rejected by Amaziah, who sees his message as a threat to the status quo. Amos insists that he is not a professional prophet but simply a man called by God to speak truth to power. His message is one of judgment and warning, but it is rooted in God’s love for His people. Amaziah, however, silences him and tells him to leave, refusing to accept the uncomfortable truth that Amos brings. This reading reminds us that God’s word often challenges us to confront our sins and injustices, even when it is difficult to hear. In the Gospel, we encounter a similar dynamic. Jesus, who has just crossed the sea, is met with a paralytic brought to him by friends who have faith in his power. Jesus sees their faith and forgives the man’s sins, which shocks the scribes who accuse him of blasphemy. Jesus then heals the paralytic to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins. This passage shows us that faith is not just about believing in God’s power but also about trusting in His mercy and love. Just as Amos was called to speak God’s truth despite opposition, Jesus exercises His divine authority to heal both body and soul. These readings call us to reflect on our own faith and how we respond to God’s word in our lives. Amos teaches us that true prophecy is not about seeking power or recognition but about faithfully conveying God’s message, even in the face of rejection. Jesus, on the other hand, shows us that faith and trust in God’s power can lead to healing and transformation. In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices: will we listen to God’s word and allow it to challenge us, or will we, like Amaziah, reject it because it is uncomfortable? Will we have the faith to trust in God’s mercy and power, even when it seems impossible? Let us strive to be like the friends of the paralytic, carrying those around us in prayer and trusting in God’s love and power to transform their lives and our own.