Daily Readings - Tue Jul 19 2022
Micah
14Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago.15"As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my wonders."18Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.19You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.20You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.
Matthew
46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, forgiveness, and the nature of family. In the first reading from Micah, we hear a beautiful expression of trust in God’s care and mercy. The prophet describes God as a shepherd who pastures His people, leading them to safety and abundance. He emphasizes that God’s mercy is unparalleled, as He forgives sin and casts it into the depths of the sea. This passage reminds us of God’s steadfast love and His desire to restore His people, even when they have wandered.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family. When His mother and brothers approach Him, He responds by pointing to His disciples and saying, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” This teaching challenges us to see family not only in biological terms but in spiritual ones. Jesus is not dismissing His earthly family but rather emphasizing that those who follow God’s will are part of His true family.
Both readings call us to live in a way that reflects God’s mercy and to embrace a broader understanding of family. Micah’s focus on forgiveness encourages us to let go of grudges and trust in God’s love. Jesus’ teaching reminds us that our faith community is our spiritual family, bound together by our commitment to God’s will. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to live with mercy, forgiveness, and a deep sense of belonging to God’s family. May we see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and may our actions reflect the love and compassion of our heavenly Father.