Daily Readings - Mon Jul 17 2023
Exodus
8Meanwhile, there arose a new king over Egypt, who was ignorant of Joseph9And he said to his people: "Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are many, and they are stronger than we are10Come, let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply; and if any war should advance against us, they may be added to our enemies, and having fought against us, they might depart from the land.11And so he set over them masters of the works, in order to afflict them with burdens. And they built for Pharaoh the cities of the tabernacles: Pithom and Raamses12And the more they oppressed them, so much more did they multiply and increase13And the Egyptians hated the sons of Israel, and they afflicted them and mocked them14And they led their life directly into bitterness, with hard work in clay and brick, and with all kinds of servitude, so that they were being overwhelmed with the works of the land22Therefore, Pharaoh instructed all his people, saying: "Whatever will be born of the male sex, cast it into the river; whatever will be born of the female sex, retain it.
Matthew
34Do not think that I came to send peace upon the earth. I came, not to send peace, but the sword35For I came to divide a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law36And the enemies of a man will be those of his own household37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me38And whoever does not take up his cross, and follow me is not worthy of me39Whoever finds his life, will lose it. And whoever will have lost his life because of me, shall find it40Whoever receives you, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me41Whoever receives a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet. And whoever receives the just in the name of the just shall receive the reward of the just42And whoever shall give, even to one of the least of these, a cup of cold water to drink, solely in the name of a disciple: Amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.
1And it happened that, when Jesus had completed instructing his twelve disciples, he went away from there in order to teach and to preach in their cities
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that challenge us to reflect on faith, sacrifice, and the cost of following God’s will. The first reading from Exodus describes the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, where a new pharaoh, fearful of their growing numbers, enslaves them and orders the death of all male infants. This sets the stage for the eventual liberation under Moses, highlighting the theme of God’s people enduring suffering while awaiting divine deliverance. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus speaking about the divisiveness of his mission: “I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” He emphasizes that following him requires taking up one’s cross and prioritizing faith above even family ties. Jesus also teaches about the importance of hospitality and the reward for those who receive his disciples with kindness.
These readings, though separated by centuries, are deeply connected in their exploration of conflict and commitment. In Exodus, the Israelites face external oppression, while in Matthew, the conflict is internal—within families and hearts. Both texts remind us that living according to God’s plan often involves hardship and difficult choices. The Israelites’ suffering in Egypt foreshadows the suffering that Jesus’ followers may endure, yet both stories hold out hope for ultimate deliverance and reward.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to reflect on our own willingness to embrace the challenges of faith. Are we prepared to face opposition or sacrifice for what we believe? Jesus’ words about taking up our cross remind us that discipleship is not about comfort or convenience but about fidelity to God’s will. At the same time, the Gospel’s emphasis on hospitality and care for others encourages us to see Christ in those around us, especially the vulnerable. In a world often marked by division and selfishness, these readings call us to live with courage, compassion, and trust in God’s providence. Let us strive to follow Christ, even when the path is difficult, and to welcome others with the same love and generosity that God has shown us.