Daily Readings - Thu Jul 27 2017
Exodus
1On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.2They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,9And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever."When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD,10the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments11and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.16On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.18Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.19And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.20The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
Matthew
10Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"11And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.12For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.13This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.14Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: "'You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.15For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.17Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine revelation, each highlighting the importance of openness and preparedness to receive God's message.
The first reading from Exodus recounts the Israelites' arrival at Mount Sinai, where God is about to establish His covenant with them. The dramatic display of thunders, lightning, and smoke signifies the awe-inspiring presence of God. The people are instructed to prepare themselves through purification, symbolizing the need for spiritual readiness to receive divine law. This event marks the giving of the Ten Commandments, a foundational moment in their covenant with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus explains to His disciples why He uses parables. He indicates that while some are granted understanding of the kingdom's mysteries, others are not. This reflects the idea that spiritual truths are not universally received; they require a receptive heart. Jesus references Isaiah, emphasizing that some hearts have grown dull, unable to see or hear. However, the disciples are blessed with the ability to perceive, underscoring their privileged position and responsibility.
These readings connect through the theme of revelation and response. Both moments involve a select group prepared to understand and receive God's message. The Israelites at Sinai and the disciples of Jesus are called to a deeper understanding, illustrating that divine truths are not passively received but require active engagement and openness.
In our daily lives, this calls us to cultivate a receptive heart, attentive to God's voice. Just as the Israelites prepared to meet God, we must prepare ourselves through prayer and reflection. The responsibility that comes with understanding is to live according to God's will, using our insights to guide our actions and decisions. Let us embrace this call to spiritual readiness, ensuring our hearts remain open to the divine revelations in our lives.