Daily Readings - Tue Aug 08 2023
Numbers
1And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, because of his wife, an Ethiopian2and they said: "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not also spoken similarly to us?" And when the Lord had heard this3(for Moses was a man exceedingly meek, beyond all the men who were living upon the earth4immediately he spoke to him, and to Aaron and Miriam, "Go out, you three only, to the tabernacle of the covenant." And when they had gone out5the Lord descended in a column of cloud, and he stood at the entrance of the tabernacle, calling to Aaron and Miriam. And when they had advanced6he said to them: "Listen to my words. If there will be among you a prophet of the Lord, I will appear to him in a vision, or I will speak to him through a dream7But it is not so with my servant Moses, who is the most faithful in all my house8For I speak with him mouth to mouth, and plainly. And not through enigmas and figures does he perceive the Lord. Therefore, why were you not afraid to disparage my servant Moses?9And being angry against them, he went away10Likewise, the cloud which was over the tabernacle withdrew. And behold, Miriam appeared to be white with a leprosy, like snow. And when Aaron had looked upon her, and he had seen the spreading of the leprosy11he said to Moses: "I beg you, my lord, not to impose upon us this sin, which we have committed foolishly12Do not let this one be like one who is dead, or like an abortion that has been cast from the womb of her mother. Behold, half of her flesh is already consumed by leprosy.13And Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "O God, I beg you: heal her.
Matthew
1Then the scribes and the Pharisees came to him from Jerusalem, saying2"Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.10And having called the multitudes to him, he said to them: "Listen and understand11A man is not defiled by what enters into the mouth, but by what proceeds from the mouth. This is what defiles a man.12Then his disciples drew near and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees, upon hearing this word, were offended?13But in response he said: "Every plant which has not been planted by my heavenly Father shall be uprooted14Leave them alone. They are blind, and they lead the blind. But if the blind are in charge of the blind, both will fall into the pit.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected narratives that invite us to reflect on leadership, humility, and the true nature of purity. The first reading from Numbers recounts the story of Miriam and Aaron challenging Moses’ authority, driven by jealousy over his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. God intervenes, affirming Moses’ unique role and punishing Miriam with leprosy for her envy. This story highlights the importance of trusting in God’s chosen leaders and avoiding the pitfalls of envy.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus being questioned by Pharisees about his disciples’ disregard for traditional handwashing before eating. Jesus responds by teaching that true defilement comes not from what enters the mouth, but from what comes out of it. He criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on external rituals over inner purity, emphasizing the blindness of those who lead others without spiritual insight.
Both readings remind us of the need for inner integrity. In Numbers, it is about recognizing and respecting God’s appointed leaders, while in Matthew, it is about the heart’s condition. These lessons apply to our daily lives by urging us to focus on our own actions and words rather than judging others. The moral here is clear: cultivate humility, avoid envy, and ensure our hearts are pure. Let us strive to embody these virtues, trusting in God’s plan and focusing on our inner transformation.