Daily Readings - Wed Jun 22 2022
2 Kings
8Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD." He gave it to Shaphan, who read it.9Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: "Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the LORD and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple."10Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.11When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.12He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant:13"Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us."
1Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.2He went up to the temple of the LORD with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets-all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the LORD.3The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD -to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
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
The readings today remind us of the importance of staying true to God’s word and living a life of authenticity. In the first reading from 2 Kings, we hear the story of King Josiah, who, upon discovering the book of the law, tears his garments in repentance and leads his people in a renewed commitment to follow God’s commandments. This moment of reckoning highlights the transformative power of God’s word when it is taken seriously. The king’s actions demonstrate a deep recognition of the people’s failure to live according to the teachings of the law, and his response is one of humility and resolve.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us about false prophets who appear righteous but are inwardly corrupt. He tells us that we can identify them by their fruits—good trees bear good fruit, and bad trees bear bad fruit. This teaching challenges us to reflect on the authenticity of our own faith and the company we keep. Just as King Josiah called the people back to the covenant, Jesus calls us to discernment and integrity. The readings together remind us that our relationship with God is not just about outward appearances but about the depth of our commitment and the fruit it produces in our lives.
Let us apply this to our daily lives. Just as the Israelites had to return to the book of the law, we must regularly return to God’s word and examine how we are living. Are we bearing fruit that reflects our faith, or are we merely going through the motions? Let us strive to be people of integrity, rooted in God’s teachings, and mindful of the example we set for others. By doing so, we not only deepen our own relationship with God but also become witnesses of His love and truth in the world.