Daily Readings - Sun Jun 07 2020
Exodus
4So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.5The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.6The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,8And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.9And he said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance."
John
16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound expressions of God's love and mercy. The first reading from Exodus recounts Moses receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments again, highlighting God's merciful nature despite Israel's sin with the golden calf. The second reading from Corinthians concludes Paul's letter with a call for peace and unity among believers, urging them to live in harmony. The Gospel from John presents the iconic verse about God giving His only Son for the salvation of the world, emphasizing belief in Jesus as the path to eternal life.
Each reading provides a unique context that enriches our understanding. Exodus follows the incident of the golden calf, showcasing God's forgiveness and patience. Corinthians is Paul's farewell, encouraging the church to rejoice and live in peace. John's passage is part of Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus, stressing the purpose of His mission as salvation, not judgment.
Together, these readings weave a tapestry of God's love. Exodus illustrates mercy after sin, Corinthians fosters community peace, and John reveals sacrificial love for salvation. In daily life, we experience God's mercy in our own struggles and are called to foster unity and peace in our communities. The moral lesson is clear: living with gratitude for God's mercy and sharing that love with others is our calling. Let us reflect on this with hearts full of joy and a commitment to embody God's love in our actions.