Daily Readings - Mon Jul 01 2019
Genesis
16When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.17Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?18Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.19For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."20Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous21that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."22The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.23Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?24What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?25Far be it from you to do such a thing-to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"26The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."27Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes,28what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?If I find forty-five there," he said, "I will not destroy it."29Once again he spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it."30Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?" He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."31Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?" He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it."32Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."33When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.
Matthew
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."20Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."21Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."22But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, intercession, and commitment, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual journey.
The first reading from Genesis 18:16-33 presents Abraham as a model of faith and intercession. Abraham's negotiation with God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah illustrates his deep concern for others and his trust in God's justice. This passage highlights the importance of praying for others and advocating for God's mercy, even in the face of impending judgment. Abraham's willingness to intercede demonstrates his faith in God's character and his understanding of God's justice tempered with compassion.
In the Gospel of Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus teaches about the radical commitment required to follow Him. When a scribe offers to follow Jesus without understanding the challenges, Jesus warns him of the hardships ahead. Another disciple asks to bury his father first, but Jesus insists on prioritizing discipleship. This passage emphasizes that following Jesus demands a willingness to let go of worldly attachments and to trust in God's providence, even when it seems difficult or uncertain.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and commitment to God. Abraham's intercession reminds us to pray for others and to trust in God's justice and mercy. Jesus' teachings challenge us to examine our priorities and to be willing to make sacrifices in order to follow Him more closely. May we, like Abraham, be bold in our prayers and, like the disciples, be willing to follow Jesus without hesitation, trusting in His plan for our lives.