Daily Readings for July 5, 2018

1st READING

Amaziah is a crook and a worthless shepherd. He wants to silence Amos because if he heeds Amos’s words, then his life of luxury and ease will end. People who come to power are consumed by it. It is diffcult to let it go. With power comes a bloated sense of entitlement. Humility is needed to fight this and bring everything into its proper perspective. Let us pray for humble leaders that care for us, their flock.

Amos 7:10-17

10 Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam, king of Israel: “Amos has conspired against you here within Israel; the country cannot endure all his words. 11 For this is what Amos says: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.” 12 To Amos, Amaziah said: “Off with you, visionary,  flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. 15 The Lord took me from following the  flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now hear the word of the Lord!” You say: prophesy not against Israel, preach not against the house of Isaac. 17 Now thus says the Lord: Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; your land shall be divided by measuring line, and you yourself shall die in an unclean land; Israel shall be exiled far from its land.

P S A L M 

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R: The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. 

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 10 [11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. (R)

GOSPEL  

Jesus clarifies that God does not visit the punishment for the sins of one person on another. Other people are affected by a person’s sins, but the evil that results from sin is not God’s punishment. Disorder is the consequence of sin. It is challenging to right the wrongs caused by our sinfulness, but this is what we should do. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Matthew 9:1-8

1 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. 2 And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3 At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 7 He rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.