June 23, 2015

Reading

Genesis 13: 2, 5- 18

13:2 But he was very wealthy by the possession of gold and silver.

13:5 But Lot also, who was with Abram, had flocks of sheep, and cattle, and tents.

13:6 Neither was the land able to contain them, so that they might dwell together. Indeed, their substance was so great that they could not live in common.

13:7 And then there also arose a conflict between the shepherds of Abram and of Lot. Now at that time the Canaanite and the Perizzite lived in that land.

13:8 Therefore, Abram said to Lot: “I ask you, let there be no quarrel between me and you, and between my shepherds and your shepherds. For we are brothers.

13:9 Behold, the entire land is before your eyes. Withdraw from me, I beg you. If you will go to the left, I will take the right. If you choose the right, I will pass to the left.”

13:10 And so Lot, lifting up his eyes, saw all the region around the Jordan, which was thoroughly irrigated, before the Lord overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It was like the Paradise of the Lord, and it was like Egypt, approaching toward Zoar.

13:11 And Lot chose for himself the region around the Jordan, and he withdrew by way of the east. And they were divided, one brother from the other.

13:12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. In truth, Lot stayed in the towns that were around the Jordan, and he lived in Sodom.

13:13 But the men of Sodom were very wicked, and they were sinners before the Lord beyond measure.

13:14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot was divided from him: “Lift up your eyes, and gaze out from the place where you are now, to the north and to the meridian, to the east and to the west.

13:15 All the land that you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring even forever.

13:16 And I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth. If any man is able to number the dust of the earth, he will be able to number your offspring as well.

13:17 Arise and walk through the land in its length, and breadth. For I will give it to you.”

13:18 Therefore, moving his tent, Abram went and dwelt by the steep valley of Mamre, which is in Hebron. And he built an altar there to the Lord.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Matthew     7: 6, 12-14

7:6	Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not cast your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they may trample them under their feet, and then, turning, they may tear you apart.
7:12	Therefore, all things whatsoever that you wish that men would do to you, do so also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.
7:13	Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leads to perdition, and many there are who enter through it.
7:14	How narrow is the gate, and how straight is the way, which leads to life, and few there are who find it!