Daily Readings - Thu Aug 03 2023
Exodus
16And Moses did all that the Lord had instructed17Therefore, in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was put in place18And Moses raised it up, and he positioned the panels as well as the bases and the bars, and he set up the columns19and he stretched out the roof over the tabernacle, imposing a cover above it, just as the Lord had decreed20And he placed the testimony in the ark, applying the bars beneath, and the oracle above21And when he had brought the ark into the tabernacle, he drew the veil before it, in order to fulfill the commandment of the Lord34the cloud covered the tabernacle of the testimony, and the glory of the Lord filled it35Neither could Moses enter the covering of the covenant: the cloud was covering all things, and the majesty of the Lord was flashing. For the cloud had covered everything36Whenever the cloud departed from the tabernacle, the sons of Israel set out by their companies37But if it remained hanging over it, they remained in the same place38Certainly, the cloud of the Lord lay over the tabernacle by day, and the fire by night, being seen by all the people of Israel throughout all their resting places
Matthew
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathers together all kinds of fish48When it has been filled, drawing it out and sitting beside the shore, they selected the good into vessels, but the bad they threw away49So shall it be at the consummation of the age. The Angels shall go forth and separate the bad from the midst of the just50And they shall cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth51Have you understood all these things?" They say to him, "Yes.52He said to them, "Therefore, every scribe well-taught about the kingdom of heaven, is like a man, the father of a family, who offers from his storehouse both the new and the old.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on God's presence and our responsibility as disciples. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses meticulously erecting the tabernacle, a sanctuary where God's glory resides. The tabernacle, filled with the cloud of God's presence, guides the Israelites, symbolizing God's active role in their lives. This passage underscores the importance of creating sacred spaces—both physical and spiritual—where God's presence can dwell.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the net, illustrating the kingdom of heaven as a net gathering all kinds of fish, which are later separated into good and bad. This parable reminds us of the inevitable judgment, where our actions and choices will be assessed. Jesus emphasizes that a true disciple, like a well-taught scribe, values both old and new wisdom, applying these teachings in their life.
These readings connect through themes of divine presence and accountability. Exodus shows us the tabernacle as a place of God's presence, while Matthew's parable calls us to live in a manner that reflects our faith, mindful of the judgment to come. In our daily lives, we are invited to create sacred spaces within our hearts, nurturing God's presence through prayer and reflection. We must also live with intentionality, ensuring our actions align with our faith, preparing for the day when our lives will be examined.
As we reflect, let us consider how we embody God's presence and live in anticipation of His judgment. May we strive to be disciples who cherish both tradition and new insights, using them to guide our actions. Let us live with purpose, creating a sanctuary of love and righteousness, ever-ready to stand before God with hearts full of grace.