Daily Readings for June 28, 2016

1ST READING

Amos describes his marching orders from the Lord. He is a poor provincial boy who was called by God to go to the big city of Bethel to preach repentance to the elite of society. It is amazing that they do not throw him out of the city sooner. Perhaps it is because the truth he speaks pricks their consciences and causes them to ponder their ways. When it comes to sin and corruption, we need action. If people refuse to repent and change their ways, they are on the path to hell.

Amos 3:1-8; 4: 11-12

1 Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the Lord pronounces over you, over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt: 2 You alone have I favored, more than all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your crimes. 3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed? 4 Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from its den unless it has seized something? 5 Is a bird brought to earth by a snare when there is no lure for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground without catching anything? 6 If the trumpet sounds in a city, will the people not be frightened? If evil befalls a city, has not the Lord caused it? 7 Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets. 8 The lion roars — who will not be afraid! The Lord God speaks — who will not prophesy! 4:11 I brought upon you such upheaval as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: you were like a brand plucked from the fire; yet you returned not to me, says the Lord. 12 So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel! and since I will deal thus with you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

P S A L M

Psalm 5:4-6, 6-7, 8

R: Lead me in your justice, Lord.

3 [4] At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you. 4 [5] For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; 5 [6] the arrogant may not stand in your sight. (R) You hate all evildoers; 6 [7] you destroy all who speak falsehood. The bloodthirsty and the deceitful the Lord abhors. (R) 7 [8] But I, because of your abundant mercy, will enter your house; I will worship at your holy temple in fear of you, O Lord. (R)

GOSPEL

The disciples are afraid; Jesus is not. The disciples are panicking; Jesus calms the winds and the seas. Our faith should bring us peace and calm the storms in our lives so that we can follow Jesus. If our lives are always stormy and chaotic, we will be unable to follow Him.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word.

Matthew 8:23-27

23 As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. 25 They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. 27 The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”