Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 30, 2020
First Reading: Amos 3.1-8; 4.11-12
1Hear this word the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel-against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt:2"You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins."3Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?4Does a lion roar in the thicket when he has no prey? Does he growl in his den when he has caught nothing?5Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground where no snare has been set? Does a trap spring up from the earth when there is nothing to catch?6When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?7Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.8The lion has roared- who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken- who can but prophesy?
Psalm 5
1Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.2Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.3In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.4You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.5The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.6You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.7But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.8Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies- make straight your way before me.9Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.10Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.11But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.12For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Gospel: Matthew 8.23-27
23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of trust and faith in God's providence. The first reading from the Prophet Amos reminds us that God's relationship with His people is deeply personal and intimate. Amos speaks of God's knowledge of Israel and His desire to lead them out of sin and into a life of fidelity. The prophet uses vivid imagery—lions roaring, birds falling into snares—to emphasize that nothing happens without God's knowledge or purpose. This passage serves as a call to repentance, urging Israel to return to the Lord after experiencing His just judgment. Amos makes it clear that God reveals His plans through His prophets, and we are called to listen and respond.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a complementary message of trust in God's power and care. Jesus, asleep in the boat during a violent storm, is awakened by His terrified disciples. With a word, He calms the winds and the waves, demonstrating His divine authority over creation. The disciples' fear gives way to awe as they ask, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" This episode is not just a display of power but a lesson in faith. Jesus' question to His disciples—"Why are you afraid, O little faith?"—challenges us to examine our own trust in God when we face the storms of life.
Both readings invite us to deepen our relationship with God and to trust in His providence. Amos calls us to listen to God's voice and to repent, while Matthew encourages us to have faith in God's power and care, even in the midst of turmoil. In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by remaining attentive to God's presence, seeking His will, and trusting that He is always with us, even when the waters seem rough. Let us strive to live with the confidence that comes from knowing God's love and care, and may we, like the disciples, come to know more deeply the kind of God we follow.