Bible Readings - July 2, 2024

Reading 1 

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

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:

You alone have I favored, 

more than all the families of the earth;

Therefore I will punish you

for all your crimes. Do two walk together

unless they have agreed?

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?

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?

If the trumpet sounds in a city,

will the people not be frightened?

If evil befalls a city,

has not the Lord caused it?

Indeed, the Lord God does nothing

without revealing his plan

to his servants, the prophets.The lion roars--

who will not be afraid!

The Lord God speaks--

who will not prophesy!

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.

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.

Psalm 5:4-9

in the morning I will plead before you and wait.

You are not a god who delights in evil;

no wicked person finds refuge with you;

6the arrogant cannot stand before your eyes.

You hate all who do evil;

you destroy those who speak falsely.

A bloody and fraudulent man

the LORD abhors.

But I, through the abundance of your mercy,

will enter into your house.

I will bow down toward your holy sanctuary

out of fear of you.

LORD, guide me in your justice because of my foes;

make straight your way before me.

Psalm 130:5

I wait for the LORD,

my soul waits

and I hope for his word.

Gospel 

Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,

so that the boat was being swamped by waves;

but he was asleep.

They came and woke him, saying,

“Lord, save us!  We are perishing!”

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.

The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,

whom even the winds and the sea obey?”