First Reading – Amos 2:6-10, 13-16
6 Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word; Because they sell the just man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals.
7 They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way. Son and father go to the same prostitute, profaning my holy name.
8 Upon garments taken in pledge they recline beside any altar; And the wine of those who have been fined they drink in the house of their god.
9 Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, who were as tall as the cedars, and as strong as the oak trees. I destroyed their fruit above, and their roots beneath.
10 It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt, and who led you through the desert for forty years, to occupy the land of the Amorites.
13 Beware, I will crush you into the ground as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves.
14 Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong man shall not retain his strength; The warrior shall not save his life,
15 nor the bowman stand his ground; The swift of foot shall not escape, nor the horseman save his life.
16 And the most stouthearted of warriors shall flee naked on that day, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 50:16BC-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Response: Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
Response: Remember this, you who never think of God.
“When you see a thief, you keep pace with him,
and with adulterers you throw in your lot.
To your mouth you give free rein for evil,
you harness your tongue to deceit.”
Response: Remember this, you who never think of God.
“You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother’s son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.”
Response: Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Consider this, you who forget God,
lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
Response: Remember this, you who never think of God.
Alleluia – Psalms 95:8
Response: Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
Response: Alleluia, alleluia.
6/27/2022 Today’s Gospel Reading – Matthew 8:18-22
18 When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore.
19 A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”
6/27/2022 Today’s Gospel Reflection: The Crowd
The gospel reading above follows three miracles in Chapter 8 of Matthew. Specifically, we read about the healing of a leper, the centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law. The previous chapters dealt with great teachings which are summarized as the sermon on the mount. So at this point in the life of Jesus, He has become known far and wide. A lot of people came to gather around Him, some of them came out of curiosity while others came to be healed. Some of them have already become His disciples. However, Jesus was not yet inclined to attract too much attention especially from the authorities. He has a lot more to do before His appointed time to leave this world. That is why, He was trying to avoid the crowd as we can read in verse 18.
Then as we continue reading, we see a scribe wanting to follow Jesus. We already know that the scribes were part of the religious groups who were fiercely opposed to Jesus. Jesus responded to this scribe by saying that he cannot expect anything material that can enrich him. He does not even own a bed to rest His head.
The another disciple tried to excuse himself for the meantime in order to do an important family concern. Jesus however asked him to give priority to following Him.
Jesus is obviously sending us the message that discipleship is not as easy as we might think. Following Him involved our whole attention. That is why we need to consider the cost. Yet difficult it may be, to follow Him is the only way to eternal life. The alternative is to get lost forever.
