Daily Readings - Wed Jun 23 2021
Genesis
1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. "2But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"3And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."4Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir."5He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.7He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."8But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"9So the LORD said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon."10Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half.11Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.12As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.17When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-
Matthew
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons from Scripture that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Genesis 15 presents Abram, who is met with a divine promise by God. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of his circumstances, Abram chooses to trust in God's plan, exemplifying unwavering faith. This trust is not passive; it is active and leads to a covenant, symbolizing God's commitment and Abram's acceptance of His will.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches us to discern true followers of God by their actions, likening them to trees that bear fruit. He warns against false prophets who may appear righteous but bear no good fruit. This teaching emphasizes the importance of living out our faith authentically, ensuring that our actions reflect our beliefs.
These readings remind us that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a lived commitment. Like Abram, we are called to trust God even when the future is uncertain. And like the trees in Jesus' parable, our faith must produce fruit in our lives—acts of love, kindness, and justice. As we navigate our daily lives, may we strive to embody this authentic faith, discerning wisely and living in accordance with God's will.