Daily Readings - Mon Jul 01 2024
Amos
6This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.7They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.8They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.9"I destroyed the Amorite before them, though he was tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.10"I brought you up out of Egypt, and I led you forty years in the desert to give you the land of the Amorites.13"Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.14The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.15The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.16Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," declares the LORD.
Matthew
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."20Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."21Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."22But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that challenge us to reflect on our faith and actions. The first reading from Amos confronts us with a stern warning from God to the people of Israel, who have turned away from justice and exploited the vulnerable. Amos highlights their injustices, such as selling the just for silver and ignoring the humble, and reminds them of God's past mercies and deliverance. Yet, despite these blessings, their actions have led to a warning of impending judgment, where their strength and might will fail them. This serves as a reminder that our faith must be accompanied by a commitment to justice and compassion for the marginalized.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the personal cost of discipleship. Jesus, in his interaction with the scribe and the disciple, emphasizes the sacrifices required to follow him. The scribe's willingness to follow is met with a reality check about the hardships involved, while the disciple is asked to prioritize his faith over even the significant duty of burying his father. This teaches us that following Jesus requires us to re-evaluate our priorities and be willing to make sacrifices, trusting in God's providence over our own comforts.
Together, these readings remind us that faith is not merely a matter of belief but of action. We are called to live justly, standing up for the oppressed and using our resources responsibly. Additionally, we must be willing to make personal sacrifices, placing our relationship with God above worldly concerns. Let us examine our lives to ensure we are living out our faith with both compassion and commitment, trusting in God's guidance as we navigate the challenges of discipleship.