Daily Readings - Tue Jun 22 2021
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected themes: the importance of wise choices and the call to live according to God’s plan. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Abram and Lot, who must separate their households due to the abundance of their possessions. Abram, demonstrating humility and trust in God, allows Lot to choose the more fertile land near Sodom. Though Lot’s choice seems advantageous, it ultimately leads him into a place of wickedness. Abram, on the other hand, remains faithful, and God renews His promise to him, assuring him of a future filled with blessing.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasizes the importance of discernment and living according to the narrow path. He warns against giving what is sacred to those who would not appreciate it and reminds us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus then contrasts the wide and easy road that leads to destruction with the narrow and difficult path that leads to life. Few, He says, will find this narrow way.
These readings invite us to reflect on the choices we make in our own lives. Like Abram, we are called to trust in God’s providence, even when it requires sacrifice or humility. Like Lot, we must be cautious not to be seduced by worldly attractions that may lead us away from God’s will. Jesus’ teachings remind us that our decisions have consequences and that living as His disciples requires us to choose the path that aligns with His teachings, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to walk the narrow way, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life and seeking to live in a way that reflects His love and truth.