Daily Readings - Sun Jul 02 2017
Romans
3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Matthew
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Sermon
In today's readings, we delve into profound truths about our commitment to Christ and the transformative power of faith. The second reading from Romans reminds us that through baptism, we are united with Christ's death and resurrection, signifying our liberation from sin's grasp. This sacred ritual isn't merely symbolic; it's a covenant that calls us to a new life, one where we walk in the light of Christ, free from sin's dominion.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to prioritize our love for Jesus above all earthly ties. Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship requires carrying our cross, embracing sacrifices for His sake. This isn't about self-denial for its own sake, but about aligning our hearts with His will. The passage also highlights the importance of hospitality and compassion, even in small acts, as reflections of our love for Him.
These readings converge on the theme of commitment. Baptism in Romans is a sacramental commitment to a sin-free life, while Matthew's Gospel calls us to a radical, daily commitment to follow Christ. In our lives, this means embracing our baptismal vows anew each day and prioritizing Jesus in our decisions. It's about recognizing that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is a testament to our faith. Let us reflect on how we can live out this commitment, not just in grand gestures, but in the simple, everyday choices that reflect our love for Christ.