Daily Readings - Wed Aug 02 2017
Exodus
29When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.30Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.31But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them.32Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai.33And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.34Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded,35the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Matthew
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,46who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the covenant, his face radiant from his encounter with God. This radiance, a symbol of God's glory, inspires both awe and fear in the people, prompting Moses to veil his face. This veil serves as a reminder of the separation between God and humanity, emphasizing the need for a mediator—a role Moses fulfills.
The Gospel reading presents two parables from Matthew, both illustrating the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven. The treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value teach us that true spiritual riches require sacrifice and dedication. Just as the man and the merchant give up everything to obtain their treasures, we are called to prioritize our faith above all else.
Connecting these readings, we see that Moses' radiance reflects the transformative power of encountering God, while the parables urge us to seek spiritual treasures with unwavering commitment. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing our relationship with God, just as Moses did. Let us embrace the challenge to seek God with passion and dedication, recognizing that our faith is the greatest treasure we can attain.