Daily Readings - Wed Jul 14 2021
Exodus
1Now Moses was pasturing the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro, a priest of Midian. And when he had driven the flock into the interior of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, Horeb2And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. And he saw that the bush was burning and was not burnt3Therefore, Moses said, "I will go and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.4Then the Lord, discerning that he proceeded on to see it, called to him from the midst of the bush, and he said, "Moses, Moses." And he responded, "Here I am.5And he said: "Lest you should approach here, remove the shoes from your feet. For the place on which you stand is holy ground.6And he said, "I am the God of your father: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face, for he dared not look directly at God9And so, the outcry of the sons of Israel has come to me. And I have seen their affliction, with which they are oppressed by the Egyptians10But come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may lead my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.11And Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt?12And he said to him: "I will be with you. And you will have this as a sign that I have sent you: When you will have brought my people out of Egypt, you will offer sacrifice to God upon this mountain.
Matthew
25At that time, Jesus responded and said: "I acknowledge you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and have revealed them to little ones26Yes, Father, for this was pleasing before you27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son is willing to reveal him
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine interaction that invite us to reflect on trust, humility, and the nature of God's revelation. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses' encounter with God in the burning bush. Moses, tending his father-in-law's sheep, is unexpectedly called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite his hesitation and self-doubt, God assures Moses of His presence and support, emphasizing His trust in Moses' ability to fulfill this mission. This passage highlights the theme of divine vocation and the importance of trusting in God's plan, even when we feel inadequate.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a complementary perspective. Jesus praises God for revealing divine truths to the "little ones" rather than to the wise and learned. This prayer underscores the idea that spiritual understanding is not reserved for the intellectually elite but is accessible to those who approach with humility and simplicity. Jesus also affirms that true knowledge of God comes through knowing the Son, who reveals the Father to those who are open to His truth. This teaching challenges us to cultivate humility and openness in our relationship with God.
Both readings remind us that God often works through the unlikely and the humble. Moses, a man who felt unworthy, became a great leader, and Jesus teaches that divine truths are revealed to those who are simple of heart. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when we feel unprepared or uncertain. They invite us to embrace humility and openness, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God, not from human pride or self-reliance. Let us reflect on how we can respond to God's call with faith and humility, trusting that He will be with us, just as He was with Moses.