Daily Readings - Mon Jun 23 2025
Genesis
1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.7And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.8And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.9And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Matthew
1Judge not, that ye be not judged.2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons from Scripture that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Genesis 12:1-9 tells the story of Abram, who exemplifies unwavering faith and trust in God. Abram is called to leave behind the familiar—his land, family, and home—for a promise of a new land and a great nation. This journey is not just physical but deeply spiritual, as Abram's obedience and trust in God's promise lay the foundation for his faith. When Abram arrives in Canaan, God reaffirms His promise, and Abram responds by building altars, symbolizing his worship and gratitude.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 7:1-5 shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on humility and self-reflection. Jesus warns against judging others, emphasizing that we will be judged by the same standards we use on others. The metaphor of the splinter and the plank vividly illustrates the need for self-awareness and humility. Jesus encourages us to first examine our own actions and attitudes before attempting to correct others, fostering a spirit of compassion and understanding.
These readings connect through the themes of trust and humility. Abram's trust in God's promise leads him to a life of obedience and worship, while Jesus' teaching calls us to humility in our interactions with others. Together, they remind us to trust in God's plan and to approach others with compassion and self-awareness. As we navigate our daily lives, let us strive to emulate Abram's faith and Jesus' humility, allowing these virtues to guide our relationships and decisions, leading us closer to God and to each other.