Daily Readings - Thu Jul 31 2025
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 encounter profound reflections on God’s presence and the ultimate judgment. The first reading from Exodus describes the meticulous setup of the tabernacle, where Moses follows God’s instructions to create a sanctuary for His presence. The tabernacle, filled with God’s glory, serves as a physical manifestation of His dwelling among the Israelites, guiding them through a cloud by day and fire by night. This passage underscores the importance of obedience and the tangible presence of God in our lives.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus’ parable of the net, which gathers all kinds of fish, symbolizing the kingdom of heaven. This parable emphasizes the inevitability of judgment, where the righteous will be separated from the wicked. Jesus highlights the importance of understanding these teachings and living accordingly, much like a wise scribe who shares both old and new wisdom. Together, these readings remind us of the balance between God’s presence and our accountability to Him.
As we reflect on these passages, we are called to examine our lives. Just as the Israelites followed the cloud’s guidance, we must remain attentive to God’s presence and direction. Similarly, the parable of the net urges us to live righteously, prepared for the day when our actions will be judged. The moral lesson here is clear: our obedience and preparedness are essential. Let us strive to live in accordance with God’s will, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to eternal life with Him.