Daily Readings - Wed Jun 28 2023
Genesis
1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. "2But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"3And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."4Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir."5He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.7He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."8But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"9So the LORD said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon."10Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half.11Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.12As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.17When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-
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 invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and discernment. In the first reading from Genesis, we encounter Abram, who is struggling with doubt and uncertainty about God’s promise of descendants and land. God responds by making a covenant with Abram, using the dramatic imagery of a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between the divided animals. This ritual signifies God’s commitment to Abram, sealing the promise that his offspring will inherit the land. Abram’s faith in God’s promise, despite his doubts, is a powerful example of trust in the face of uncertainty.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us about false prophets who appear harmless but harbor harmful intentions. He teaches us to discern their true nature by their actions, just as we can tell a tree by its fruit. This passage reminds us that our words and actions must align with our faith, and we must be cautious about the influences we allow into our lives. Just as Abram had to trust God’s promise, we too must trust in God’s wisdom and guidance as we navigate the challenges of discerning good from evil.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with faith and integrity. Abram’s story shows us that even in times of doubt, God is faithful and keeps His promises. Jesus’ teaching reminds us to remain vigilant and rooted in our values, so that our lives bear fruit that reflects God’s love and truth. Let us strive to trust in God’s plan for us and to live in a way that our actions and words bear witness to His presence in our lives.