Daily Readings - Fri Aug 04 2023
Leviticus
1The LORD said to Moses,4"'These are the LORD's appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:5The LORD's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.6On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD's Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.7On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.8For seven days present an offering made to the LORD by fire. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.'"9The LORD said to Moses,10"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.11He is to wave the sheaf before the LORD so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.15"'From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks.16Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD.27"The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire.34"Say to the Israelites: 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.35The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work.36For seven days present offerings made to the LORD by fire, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. It is the closing assembly; do no regular work.37("'These are the LORD's appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the LORD by fire-the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day.
Matthew
54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on faith and community. The first reading from Leviticus details the sacred feasts of the Israelites, each a testament to God's presence and action in their history. These feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Atonement, and Tabernacles—served as moments for the Israelites to remember their liberation, the harvest, and their covenant with God. They were not just historical commemorations but living encounters with the divine, meant to sanctify and transform the people.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus returning to his hometown, where his teachings and miracles are met with skepticism. The people's familiarity with Jesus as "the son of a carpenter" leads to unbelief, limiting his ability to perform miracles. This narrative highlights the challenge of recognizing the sacred in the familiar and the prophetic in our midst. It invites us to reflect on how our own familiarity with faith can sometimes breed complacency or unbelief.
These readings remind us to maintain a sense of awe and reverence in our spiritual lives. Just as the Israelites set aside time to remember God's actions, we should regularly reflect on God's presence in our lives. Let us avoid the unbelief that hinders spiritual growth and remain open to recognizing God's work, even in unexpected or familiar places. May we embrace the sacred moments and encounters, allowing them to transform us and deepen our faith.