Daily Readings - Wed Jun 30 2021
Genesis
5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.8The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast.9But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,10and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."11The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.12But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.13I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."14Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.15When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes.16Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.17God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.18Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."19Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.20God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.
Matthew
28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.29"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Sermon
The readings today present us with two powerful stories of trust, struggle, and God’s providence. In the first reading from Genesis, we see Abraham grappling with a difficult decision involving his son Ishmael and Hagar, the mother of the child. Abraham, though deeply distressed, ultimately trusts in God’s plan and releases Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness. It is there, in their moment of desperation, that God intervenes, providing water and hope for their survival. This story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God sees and hears us, and His care for us is unwavering.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different kind of struggle. Jesus meets two men possessed by demons, and the demons, recognizing Jesus’ authority, plead with Him to spare them from torment. Jesus, in His mercy, allows the demons to enter a herd of swine, but the people of the region, fearing the power they have just witnessed, ask Jesus to leave. This story highlights the fear and misunderstanding that often accompany encounters with God’s power. Yet, it also shows Jesus’ compassion and His willingness to restore freedom to those bound by evil.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God. Abraham trusted God’s promise even when the path ahead seemed uncertain. Jesus demonstrated His power to free those enslaved by sin and fear. In our own lives, we often face challenges that test our faith—moments when we feel abandoned or when God’s ways seem incomprehensible. These readings remind us that God is always present, even in the wilderness, and that His love and care for us are deeper than we can imagine. Let us strive to trust in God’s plan, even when the road ahead is unclear, and let us open our hearts to the freedom and healing that only He can provide.