Daily Readings - Thu Aug 03 2017
Exodus
16This Moses did; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so he did.17In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.18Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars.19And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.20He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark.21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.35And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.36Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.37But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.38For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
Matthew
47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.49So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous50and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51"Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of God’s presence and the ultimate fulfillment of His plan. The first reading from Exodus describes the completion of the tabernacle, a sacred space where God dwells among His people. Moses carefully follows God’s instructions, and the tabernacle is filled with the glory of the Lord, symbolized by the cloud. This cloud not only signifies God’s presence but also guides the Israelites on their journey, reminding us that God is both with us and leading us. The tabernacle becomes a place of encounter, where the divine and human meet.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the net to describe the kingdom of heaven. The net gathers all kinds of fish, good and bad, but at the end of the age, they are separated. This parable reminds us that our lives are not without consequence. The choices we make, the way we live, and the love we share will ultimately be revealed. Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven is not just a future reality but also a present call to live in a way that reflects God’s justice and mercy. The parable also highlights the role of the scribe, who draws from the treasure of God’s wisdom, both old and new, to guide others in understanding the kingdom.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live in the presence of God and how we prepare for the ultimate encounter with Him. Like the tabernacle, our lives should be a place where God’s glory dwells, and like the scribe, we should share the richness of God’s wisdom with others. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects God’s presence? Are we using the gifts and talents He has given us to build up the kingdom? May we strive to be good fish in the net, living with purpose and integrity, so that when the time of separation comes, we may be found worthy to dwell in God’s eternal presence.