Daily Readings - Mon Jul 15 2019
Exodus
8Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.9And he said to his people, "Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land."11Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses.12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.13So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves14and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live."
Matthew
34"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.36And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.40"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.41The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.42And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
1When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and compassion. The first reading from Exodus recounts the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced relentless labor and the cruel decree to kill every male infant. This sets the stage for the eventual redemption through Moses, highlighting God's faithfulness amidst suffering. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus speaking about the divisive nature of His mission, emphasizing that following Him may lead to family conflicts and personal sacrifices. He also underscores the importance of welcoming others in His name, even through simple acts of kindness.
These readings, though from different times, share a common theme of enduring hardship for a greater purpose. The Israelites' suffering in Egypt prefigured their liberation, while Jesus' words in Matthew call believers to stand firm in their faith despite challenges. Both stories remind us that our struggles are not without meaning and that God's plan often unfolds through adversity.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced with opposition. They remind us that our actions, no matter how small, can reflect God's love and bring comfort to others. Trusting in God's providence and showing compassion, as Jesus taught, helps us navigate life's difficulties with grace and hope.