Daily Readings - Sat Jul 06 2024

¹¹"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,¹²so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, "declares the LORD, who will do these things.¹³"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills.¹⁴I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.¹⁵I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.

Matthew

Chapter 9

¹⁴Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"¹⁵Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.¹⁶"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.¹⁷Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope and renewal. The prophet Amos envisions a future where God restores the tabernacle of David, rebuilding and cultivating the land, promising a time of abundance and peace. This prophecy speaks of a divine plan to bring prosperity to His people, emphasizing trust in God's promise of restoration. In the Gospel, Jesus uses metaphors to illustrate the newness He brings, comparing His presence to a joyful wedding and the need for new structures to hold the new wine of His teachings. He highlights that His time with the disciples is one of celebration, but also prepares them for a future without His physical presence, where fasting will have its place. Both readings underscore the theme of renewal and the necessity of embracing change. Amos's vision and Jesus's teachings remind us that God's work is ever-evolving, requiring us to adapt and trust in His plan. Just as old wineskins cannot contain new wine, our old ways of thinking and being must give way to the new life Christ offers. In our daily lives, this means staying open to the Spirit's leading, embracing change, and trusting in God's timing. As we face challenges, we can find hope in knowing that God is always working towards renewal. Let us remain joyful and open, allowing God to cultivate new life in us, just as He promised to restore His people.