Daily Readings - Tue Jul 16 2019
Exodus
1Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman.2The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.3When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.4And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.5Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it.6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children."7Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?"8And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the girl went and called the child's mother.9And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.10When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, "Because," she said, "I drew him out of the water."11One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.12He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.13When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, "Why do you strike your companion?"14He answered, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, and thought, "Surely the thing is known."15When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.
Matthew
20Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God's providence and our response to His grace. The first reading from Exodus recounts the early life of Moses, highlighting God's intervention in the midst of adversity. Moses, destined for greatness, is saved from certain death through the courage of his mother and the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter. This act of divine providence sets the stage for Moses' future role as a leader. However, we also see Moses' initial attempt to intervene on behalf of his people, which leads to rejection and his subsequent flight to Midian. This story reminds us that even in moments of failure, God's plan continues to unfold.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus rebuking cities that witnessed miracles yet failed to repent. Jesus emphasizes that the lack of response to God's grace will have consequences, suggesting that even the most sinful cities of old would fare better on judgment day. This passage underscores the responsibility that comes with receiving God's blessings—faith and repentance are expected responses.
Both readings connect through the theme of response to divine action. Moses' story illustrates that God works through human actions, even in the face of setbacks, while Jesus' rebuke in Matthew highlights the importance of acknowledging and responding to God's grace. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger narrative guided by God's will.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are encouraged to be attentive to God's presence and to respond with humility and faith. Just as Moses was called to lead despite his flaws, we too are called to serve and respond to God's grace. Let us not take God's blessings for granted but instead live with the awareness that our actions have spiritual consequences. May we strive to be responsive to God's will, trusting in His providence and seeking to live in accordance with His plan.