Daily Readings - Tue Jun 25 2019
Genesis
2Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.5Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.6But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.7And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.8So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.9Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."10Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)11So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.13Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.14The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west.15All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.16I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.17Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."18So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
Matthew
6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Sermon
The first reading from Genesis tells the story of Abram and Lot, who, because of their wealth and the tension between their shepherds, decide to part ways. Abram, with remarkable generosity and trust in God, allows Lot to choose the more fertile land for himself. Despite Lot’s choice of the Jordan Valley, which seems like a paradise, Abram remains faithful, and God reiterates His promise to Abram, assuring him that the entire land will belong to his descendants. This reading highlights Abram’s selflessness, trust in God’s providence, and the importance of avoiding conflict by prioritizing harmony.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus teaching about the narrow gate and the difficulty of following the path that leads to eternal life. Jesus warns that not everyone will find this path, as it requires living according to God’s will and treating sacred things with reverence. He also reminds us of the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” This teaching emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, making wise choices, and being mindful of how we treat others and the gifts we’ve been given.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our choices and priorities in life. Abram’s decision to let go of material wealth for the sake of peace and trust in God’s plan teaches us about selflessness and faith. Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate reminds us that living a life of virtue and love requires effort and discernment. In our daily lives, we are constantly faced with choices: between selfishness and generosity, between ease and virtue, between short-term gains and long-term faithfulness. Let us strive to follow Abram’s example of trust and selflessness, and to walk the narrow path that leads to life, guided by the wisdom of the Gospel. May we always remember that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His will.