Daily Readings - Tue Jul 23 2019
Exodus
21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.22And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.23The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.24And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,25clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."26Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea.28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.29But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.31Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
1Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.20Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.21And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
Matthew
46While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.48But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of trust, deliverance, and redefined relationships. The first reading from Exodus recounts the dramatic escape of the Israelites from the Egyptians through the parting of the Red Sea. Moses, acting in faith, stretches out his staff, and God’s mighty hand divides the waters, allowing the Israelites to pass safely. When the Egyptians pursue, the sea closes again, engulfing them. This miracle leads to a song of triumph, as Moses and Miriam praise God for his deliverance. The second reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who, while teaching, is approached by his family. Yet, he expands the notion of family to include all who do the will of his Father, emphasizing that spiritual bonds can transcend biological ties.
These readings invite us to reflect on trust and relationship. The Israelites, facing the pursuing army, had to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seemed impossible. Their deliverance was not just physical but also a spiritual awakening, as they came to know God’s power more deeply. Similarly, Jesus challenges us to rethink our understanding of family and community. True kinship is not limited to blood relations but is formed by those who share a common purpose and commitment to God’s will.
In our daily lives, we often face moments where we must trust in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Like the Israelites, we may feel pursued by challenges or doubts, but God’s deliverance is always at hand. Additionally, Jesus reminds us that our spiritual family is vast and inclusive. We are called to build communities rooted in faith, love, and shared values. Let us strive to trust in God’s plan and to embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, united in our commitment to his will.