Daily Readings - Sun Jul 17 2022

¹The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.²Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.³He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.⁴Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.⁵Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way-now that you have come to your servant.Very well," they answered, "do as you say."⁶So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread."⁷Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.⁸He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.⁹"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said.¹⁰Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.

Colossians

Chapter 1

²⁴Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.²⁵I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--²⁶the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.²⁸We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Luke

Chapter 10

³⁸As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.³⁹She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"⁴¹"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,⁴²but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter three distinct yet interconnected narratives that guide us toward a balanced and spiritually rich life. The first reading from Genesis presents Abraham's encounter with three divine visitors. His eagerness to serve and his hospitality lead to a profound promise—the birth of a son to Sarah, a pivotal moment in the story of salvation. This narrative underscores the themes of hospitality and trust in God's promises. The second reading from Colossians shifts our focus to Paul's mission. He writes about his sufferings for the Church and the revelation of the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul's dedication to spreading the Gospel emphasizes the importance of service and teaching in our spiritual journey, urging us to guide others toward perfection in Christ. The Gospel from Luke introduces Martha and Mary, two sisters who embody different aspects of Christian life. Martha's active service contrasts with Mary's contemplative listening. Jesus' response highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment, reminding us that while service is good, listening and focusing on God is essential. These readings collectively teach us to balance action and contemplation. Like Abraham, we are called to be hospitable and trusting. Like Paul, we are urged to serve and teach. And like Mary, we must make time for spiritual focus. In our daily lives, this means finding moments for prayer amidst our duties, trusting in God's plan, and embracing both service and reflection. Let us strive to live this balanced life, where hospitality, service, and spiritual nourishment guide us toward a deeper connection with God.