Sin and Faithfulness

Comments on the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today.

In the Reading from Genesis 18.16-33 Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

* [18:20] The immorality of the cities was already hinted at in 13:13, when Lot made his choice to live there. The “outcry” comes from the victims of the injustice and violence rampant in the city, which will shortly be illustrated in the treatment of the visitors. The outcry of the Hebrews under the harsh treatment of Pharaoh (Ex 3:7) came up to God who reacts in anger at mistreatment of the poor (cf. Ex 22:21–23; Is 5:7). Sodom and Gomorrah became types of sinful cities in biblical literature. Is 1:9–10; 3:9 sees their sin as lack of social justice, Ez 16:46–51, as disregard for the poor, and Jer 23:14, as general immorality. In the Genesis story, the sin is violation of the sacred duty of hospitality by the threatened rape of Lot’s guests. (Genesis, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 103 praises God for personal benefits.

* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gospel: Matthew 8.18-22 describes The Would-be Followers of Jesus.

* [8:18] The other side: i.e., of the Sea of Galilee.

* [8:19] Teacher: for Matthew, this designation of Jesus is true, for he has Jesus using it of himself (Mt 10:24, 25; 23:8; 26:18), yet when it is used of him by others they are either his opponents (Mt 9:11; 12:38; 17:24; 22:16, 24, 36) or, as here and in Mt 19:16, well-disposed persons who cannot see more deeply. Thus it reveals an inadequate recognition of who Jesus is.

* [8:20] Son of Man: see note on Mk 8:31. This is the first occurrence in Matthew of a term that appears in the New Testament only in sayings of Jesus, except for Acts 7:56 and possibly Mt 9:6 (//Mk 2:10; Lk 5:24). In Matthew it refers to Jesus in his ministry (seven times, as here), in his passion and resurrection (nine times, e.g., Mt 17:22), and in his glorious coming at the end of the age (thirteen times, e.g., Mt 24:30).

* [8:22] Let the dead bury their dead: the demand of Jesus overrides what both the Jewish and the Hellenistic world regarded as a filial obligation of the highest importance. See note on Lk 9:60. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tom Lenz shares the Daily Reflection June 30, 2025

Don Schwager Teacher, I Will Follow You Wherever You Go

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for June 30, 2025

Richard Rohr shares a Daily Meditation on The Liberation Journey.

References

Genesis, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/18?16 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?18 

Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1