Daily Readings - Fri Jun 25 2021
Genesis
1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.5No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.9Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.10This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.15God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.16I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."17Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"18And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"19Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.20And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.21But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year."22When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
Matthew
1When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.4Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God’s covenant relationship with humanity. In the first reading from Genesis, we hear the story of God’s promise to Abraham, where God establishes a covenant with him, changing his name from Abram to Abraham and instituting circumcision as a sign of that covenant. Abraham, though initially doubting and even laughing at the promise of a son in his old age, ultimately places his trust in God’s plan. The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this by showing Jesus’ compassion and authority in healing a leper. The leper approaches Jesus with humility and faith, acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal, and Jesus responds with mercy and a touch that restores him.
The context of these readings is rooted in the larger narrative of God’s relationship with His people. In Genesis, we see the beginning of God’s covenant with Abraham, who is called to be the father of a great nation. This covenant is not just a promise but a commitment that requires faith and obedience from Abraham. In Matthew, we see the fulfillment of God’s covenant in Jesus, who embodies God’s mercy and healing power. The leper’s encounter with Jesus reflects the same kind of faith and trust that Abraham exhibits, despite his doubts.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt. Abraham’s laughter at the promise of a son shows that even the great figures of faith struggle with God’s plans. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that we are called to trust in God’s fidelity. The leper in the Gospel does not question whether Jesus can heal him; he simply asks with humility and confidence. For us, this means approaching God with the same humility and trust, even when life seems uncertain or impossible. We are called to walk in God’s sight, as Abraham did, and to have faith that His promises will be fulfilled in His time.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on where we place our trust. Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unlikely or difficult? Do we approach Him with the humility and faith of the leper? Let us remember that God’s covenant with us is one of love and mercy, and that He is always faithful to His promises. May we, like Abraham and the leper, respond to God’s call with trust and obedience, knowing that He is the Almighty God who walks with us always.