Daily Readings - Thu Jul 27 2023
Exodus
1In the third month of the departure of Israel from the land of Egypt, in that day, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai2Thus, setting out from Raphidim, and going directly to the desert of Sinai, they encamped in the same place, and there Israel pitched their tents away from the region of the mountain9the Lord said to him: "Soon now, I will come to you in the mist of a cloud, so that the people may hear me speaking to you, and so that they may believe you continuously." Therefore, Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord10who said to him: "Go to the people, and sanctify them today, and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments11And let them be prepared on the third day. For on the third day, the Lord will descend, in the sight of all the people, over Mount Sinai16And now, the third day arrived and the morning dawned. And behold, thunders began to be heard, and also lightning flashed, and a very dense cloud covered the mountain, and the noise of the trumpet resounded vehemently. And the people who were in the camp were fearful17And when Moses had led them out to meet God, from the place of the camp, they stood at the base of the mountain18Then all of Mount Sinai was smoking. For the Lord had descended over it with fire, and smoke ascended from it, as from a furnace. And the entire mountain was terrible19And the sound of the trumpet gradually increased to be louder, and extended to be longer. Moses was speaking, and God was answering him20And the Lord descended over Mount Sinai, to the very top of the mountain, and he called Moses to its summit. And when he had ascended there
Matthew
10And his disciples drew near to him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?11Responding, he said to them: "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but it has not been given to them12For whoever has, it shall be given to him, and he shall have in abundance. But whoever has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him13For this reason, I speak to them in parables: because seeing, they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand14And so, in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, who said, ‘Hearing, you shall hear, but not understand; and seeing, you shall see, but not perceive15For the heart of this people has grown fat, and with their ears they hear heavily, and they have closed their eyes, lest at any time they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and then I would heal them.16But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear17Amen I say to you, certainly, that many of the prophets and the just desired to see what you see, and yet they did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and yet they did not hear it
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine revelation, each inviting us to reflect on how we receive God's word. The first reading from Exodus 19 describes the dramatic scene at Mount Sinai, where God's presence is manifested through thunder, lightning, and smoke. The Israelites, in awe, prepare to receive the law, a pivotal moment in their covenant with God. This theophany underscores the importance of preparation and openness to God's revelation.
In the Gospel, Matthew 13 presents Jesus explaining the purpose of parables. He reveals that these stories are a form of divine truth, accessible to those with faith but hidden from those with hardened hearts. Jesus blesses the disciples for their ability to see and hear, contrasting them with past prophets who longed for such revelation. This highlights the spiritual state of the audience and their readiness to understand divine teachings.
Both readings connect through the theme of divine revelation and human response. Exodus shows a community prepared to receive God's law, while Matthew illustrates the individual's role in receiving Jesus' teachings. These passages remind us to approach God's word with openness and faith, avoiding the hardness of heart that can hinder understanding. As we navigate our daily lives, let us seek to be like the disciples—receptive and eager to embrace God's truth, allowing it to transform our hearts and guide our actions. May we remain open to God's revelation, ever ready to receive His word with faith and humility.