Daily Readings - Fri Jul 28 2017
Exodus
1And God spoke all these words, saying,2"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.3"You shall have no other gods before me.4"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.5You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.7"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.8"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.9Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,10but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.12"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.13"You shall not murder.14"You shall not commit adultery.15"You shall not steal.16"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.17"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
Matthew
18"Hear then the parable of the sower:19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.23As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore two profound teachings from Scripture that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Exodus presents the Ten Commandments, a foundational moral code given to the Israelites. These commandments, such as honoring the Sabbath, respecting parents, and avoiding murder or theft, outline a path to a righteous life, emphasizing trust in God and respect for others. The second reading, from Matthew, shares the parable of the sower, where Jesus illustrates how people receive God's word. Some seeds are quickly taken away, others wither under pressure, some are choked by worldly concerns, and a few flourish, bearing abundant fruit. This parable invites us to reflect on the receptiveness of our hearts to God's message.
The Ten Commandments, given in a specific historical context to guide the Israelites, remain relevant today as they call us to live in harmony with God and others. The parable of the sower, part of Jesus' teachings, uses an agricultural metaphor to highlight the importance of cultivating fertile ground for God's word. Together, these readings connect our actions to our faith, urging us to not only hear God's word but to live it deeply.
In our daily lives, we can apply these teachings by examining how we receive and act on God's message. Are we like the fertile soil, nurturing our faith and producing fruit? Or do we let challenges or worldly distractions hinder our spiritual growth? Let us strive to be the good soil, embracing God's word with openness and commitment. May we reflect on our own receptiveness, allowing God's grace to transform us, and live out the Ten Commandments as a testament to our faith.