Daily Readings - Sun Jun 21 2020
Jeremiah
10I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him."11But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.12O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.13Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Romans
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
Matthew
26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust in God, the reality of sin and grace, and the call to fearless discipleship. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet expresses his suffering at the hands of persecutors but places his trust in God, who is his strong warrior. Jeremiah’s confidence in divine justice and deliverance reminds us that even in the midst of trials, God remains faithful and near. The second reading from Romans provides a theological framework for understanding the human condition. Paul explains how sin and death entered the world through Adam, but through Jesus Christ, grace has abounded even more generously. This passage underscores the profound truth that God’s mercy surpasses the consequences of sin. In the Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples not to fear persecution or death, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. He assures them of God’s providential care, even in the smallest details of their lives, and encourages them to acknowledge him boldly before others.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Jeremiah’s trust in God despite persecution mirrors the Gospel’s call to fearlessness. Both remind us that our ultimate security lies not in human approval but in God’s faithfulness. The passage from Romans bridges these two, offering a theological foundation for why we can trust God: through Christ, grace has triumphed over sin and death. Together, the readings invite us to live with courage and hope, knowing that God’s plan of salvation is at work in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to trust in God’s providence, especially when we face challenges or uncertainties. Like Jeremiah, we may encounter opposition or misunderstanding, but we are called to remain steadfast in our faith. Like the disciples, we are reminded that our worth is not measured by the opinions of others but by the love of our heavenly Father. The moral lesson is clear: do not be afraid to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. Trust in God’s justice, embrace his grace, and live with the confidence that you are loved and valued beyond measure. Let us pray for the courage to acknowledge Christ in all we do, knowing that he will acknowledge us before the Father in heaven.