Daily Readings - Thu Jul 18 2019
Exodus
13Moses said to God: "Behold, I will go to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ If they say to me, ‘What is his name?’ What shall I say to them?14God said to Moses, "I AM WHO AM." He said: "Thus shall you say to the sons of Israel: ‘HE WHO IS has sent me to you.’ 15And God said again to Moses: "Thus shall you say to the sons of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is the name for me in eternity, and this is my memorial from generation to generation16Go and gather together the elders of Israel, and you shall say to them: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: When visiting, I have visited you, and I have seen all that has befallen you in Egypt17And I have spoken in order to lead you out of the affliction of Egypt, into the land of the Canaanite, and Hittite, and Amorite, and Perizzite, and Hivite, and Jebusite, into a land flowing with milk and honey.18And they shall hear your voice. And you shall enter, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall say to him: ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has called us. We shall go three days’ journey into the wilderness, in order to offer sacrifice to the Lord our God.19But I know that the king of Egypt will not release you, unless you go out by a powerful hand20For I will extend my hand, and I will strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will do in the midst of them. After these things, he will release you
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine encounter and invitation. In Exodus, Moses stands before the burning bush as God reveals His name, "I AM WHO AM," and commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This passage marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as God prepares to liberate His people from slavery and establish a covenant with them. The name "I AM WHO AM" underscores God's eternal and unchanging nature, emphasizing that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened: "Come to me, and I will refresh you." This passage reflects Jesus' deep compassion for those struggling under the weight of life's challenges. He offers not only rest but also a way of life—taking His yoke upon us and learning from His meekness and humility. Jesus' promise of a "yoke that is easy" and a "burden that is light" contrasts with the heavy burdens imposed by the world, inviting us to trust in His grace and find true freedom in Him.
These readings are deeply connected, as both point to the theme of divine liberation. In Exodus, God liberates His people from physical slavery, while in Matthew, Jesus offers liberation from spiritual and emotional burdens. Together, they remind us that God is always near to the downtrodden and the weary. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God's eternal and unchanging nature, just as Moses did. Like the Israelites, we are invited to step into the freedom God offers, letting go of the weights that bind us. And like those who heard Jesus' words, we are called to embrace His gentle yoke, finding rest and peace in His presence. May we, like Moses and the people of Israel, respond with faith and courage to God's invitation, and may we, like those who follow Jesus, find true rest for our souls.