Daily Readings - Wed Aug 02 2023
Exodus
29And when Moses descended from Mount Sinai, he held the two tablets of the testimony, and he did not know that his face was radiant from the sharing of words with the Lord30Then Aaron and the sons of Israel, seeing that the face of Moses was radiant, were afraid to approach close by31And being called by him, they turned back, both Aaron and the leaders of the assembly. And after he had spoken to them32all the sons of Israel also now came to him. And he instructed them in all the things that he had heard from the Lord on Mount Sinai33And having completed these words, he placed a veil over his face34But when he entered to the Lord and was speaking with him, he took it off, until he exited. And then he spoke to the sons of Israel all that had been commanded to him35And they saw that the face of Moses, when he came out, was radiant, but he covered his face again, whenever he spoke to them
Matthew
44The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man finds it, he hides it, and, because of his joy, he goes and sells everything that he has, and he buys that field45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking good pearls46Having found one pearl of great value, he went away and sold all that he had, and he bought it
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound moments of divine encounter and transformation. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the covenant, his face radiant after speaking with God. This radiance, a physical manifestation of his spiritual encounter, inspires both awe and fear in the people, prompting Moses to wear a veil except when he is in God's presence. This passage underscores the transformative power of being in God's presence and the reverence it inspires.
The Gospel from Matthew presents two parables: the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value. Both illustrate the joy and sacrifice involved in seeking the Kingdom of Heaven. The treasure, once found, is so cherished that one sells all possessions to acquire it. Similarly, the merchant, upon finding the pearl, sells everything to purchase it. These parables highlight the invaluable nature of spiritual truth and the commitment required to pursue it.
These readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme of transformation and commitment. Moses' radiance symbolizes the impact of divine encounter, while the parables emphasize the joy and sacrifice of seeking spiritual riches. In our daily lives, we are called to seek God with such dedication, allowing His presence to transform us. Just as Moses' encounter changed him, our pursuit of God should lead to a life of commitment and joy, reflecting the divine light within us. Let us strive to prioritize our spiritual journey, embracing the transformation it brings, and cherish the invaluable gift of God's Kingdom.