Daily Readings - Thu Jun 26 2025
Genesis
6"Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.7The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.8And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered.9Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her."10The angel added, "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count."11The angel of the LORD also said to her: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery.12He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."15So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.16Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
Matthew
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, obedience, and the true nature of faith. In Genesis, we encounter Hagar, a handmaid who faces mistreatment and flees, only to be met by an angel who assures her of God's presence and promises a future for her son, Ishmael. This narrative highlights God's care for the marginalized and the importance of trusting in His providence, even in difficult circumstances. Hagar's story reminds us that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways, urging us to remain faithful despite life's challenges.
In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes that merely calling Him Lord is insufficient for entering the kingdom of heaven; it is the doing of God's will that matters. He illustrates this with the parable of the wise and foolish builders, where the wise man builds on rock, symbolizing a life grounded in Jesus' teachings. This parable underscores the necessity of living out our faith through actions, not just words. Jesus' teaching challenges us to examine the foundation of our spiritual lives, ensuring that our actions align with His will.
Both readings encourage us to trust in God's plan and to live out our faith actively. Like Hagar, we may face situations where trust seems difficult, but God remains present. Like the wise builder, we must build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings. As we navigate life's challenges, let us remember to trust in God's providence and to live out our faith in obedience to His will, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to Him.