Daily Readings - Wed Jul 19 2017
Exodus
1Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.2And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.3And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."4When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."5Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."6And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.9And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.10Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."11But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"12He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
Matthew
25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine revelation. In Exodus, Moses experiences a miraculous encounter with God through a burning bush, symbolizing God's presence in unexpected places. God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, despite Moses' initial hesitation. This story highlights God's tendency to reveal Himself to those who are humble and willing to trust in His plan. In Matthew, Jesus praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the humble, emphasizing that spiritual understanding is not reserved for the wise or powerful, but for those with open and receptive hearts.
These readings connect through the theme of humility and trust. Moses, though unsure of himself, trusted God's promise, leading to a historic act of deliverance. Similarly, Jesus teaches that divine truths are accessible to those who approach with humility. This underscores the idea that God's revelations are not limited to the elite but are available to all who seek Him with a sincere heart.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace humility and trust. Like Moses, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but God's presence and guidance are always available. Let us remain open to His voice, even in unexpected moments, and trust in His plan. By doing so, we allow God to work through us, just as He did through Moses. May we cultivate humility and faith, knowing that God reveals Himself to those who seek Him with a willing heart.