Daily Readings - Sun Jun 04 2023
Exodus
4And so he cut out two tablets of stone, like those that were before. And rising up in the night, he ascended onto Mount Sinai, just as the Lord had instructed him, carrying with him the tablets5And when the Lord had descended in a cloud, Moses stood with him, calling upon the name of the Lord6And as he was crossing before him, he said: "The Ruler, the Lord God, merciful and lenient, patient and full of compassion and also truthful8And hurrying, Moses bowed down prostrate to the ground; and worshiping9he said: "If I have found grace in your sight, O Lord, I beg you to walk with us, (for the people are stiff-necked) and take away our iniquities and our sin, and so possess us.
John
16For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life17For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him18Whoever believes in him is not judged. But whoever does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, love, and the call to live in harmony with one another. In the first reading from Exodus, Moses encounters God on Mount Sinai, where he receives the tablets of the covenant again after the people’s sin with the golden calf. God reveals Himself as merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. This passage reminds us of God’s patience and forgiveness, even in the face of human failure. Moses’ humble response—bowing down and asking for God’s presence—shows the proper posture of gratitude and trust in a merciful God.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians encourages the community to live in peace and unity. Paul urges the Corinthians to rejoice, be perfected, and have the same mind, emphasizing the importance of harmony among believers. He reminds them that the God of peace and love is with them, and he encourages them to greet one another with a holy kiss—a sign of unity and affection. This reading calls us to live as people of peace, striving for oneness in Christ.
The Gospel from John brings these themes together by revealing the depth of God’s love for the world. John 3:16, one of the most familiar verses in Scripture, declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life. This passage underscores that God’s purpose is not to condemn but to save. It invites us to reflect on the boundless love of God, who desires that all people might come to know and experience His salvation.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded of the central truths of our faith: God’s mercy, His desire for unity among His people, and the boundless love He has for the world. In our daily lives, we are called to embody these truths. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s mercy and love, forgiving others as He forgives us and working toward unity in our relationships and communities. May we never lose sight of the profound gift of salvation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and may we share that gift with a world in need of His love.