Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 31, 2019
First Reading: Exodus 34.29-35
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.
Psalm 99
1The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!2The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.3Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!4The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.5Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!6Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.7In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.8O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!
Gospel: Matthew 13.44-46
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 images of encountering the divine. In Exodus, Moses descends from Mount Sinai, his face radiant from his intimate conversation with God. This radiance is so awe-inspiring that the people are afraid to approach him, forcing Moses to veil his face. Yet, when he speaks to God, he removes the veil, symbolizing the direct and unobstructed relationship he has with the Lord. In the Gospel, Jesus tells two parables about the Kingdom of Heaven: the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value. Both stories emphasize the joy and sacrifice required to possess something of ultimate worth.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Moses’ radiance reminds us that encountering God transforms us, often in ways that others can see. The veil Moses wears suggests that while we may hide our true selves from the world, we must be unmasked before God. The parables in Matthew challenge us to consider what we are willing to give up in order to possess the greatest treasure—God’s love and grace. Just as the man in the parable sells everything to buy the field, we are called to prioritize our spiritual lives above all else.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to seek God with the same joy and determination as the characters in the parables. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to let go of distractions and sins that prevent me from fully embracing God’s presence? Like Moses, may our encounters with God leave us transformed and radiant. And like the man who found the treasure, may we cherish the Kingdom of Heaven above all else, willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to live in accordance with God’s will.