Daily Readings - Mon Jul 12 2021
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
The first reading from Exodus describes a time of great trial for the Israelites in Egypt. A new pharaoh, fearful of their growing numbers, oppresses them with forced labor and decrees the death of every newborn male. This sets the stage for the eventual liberation of God’s people, highlighting the tension between human oppression and divine providence. The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus speaking about the challenges of discipleship. He warns that following him will bring division, even within families, and that true fidelity to him requires surrendering one’s life. Jesus emphasizes that those who welcome his disciples and prophets will be rewarded, and even the smallest acts of kindness to others are significant in his eyes.
These readings, though separated by time and context, share a common theme: the cost of faith and the trust required to follow God’s plan. In Exodus, the Israelites endure suffering because of Pharaoh’s fear and arrogance, yet this suffering sets the stage for their eventual liberation. In Matthew, Jesus calls his followers to embrace a life of sacrifice and trust, even when it leads to conflict and hardship. Both readings remind us that faith is not about comfort or ease but about trusting in God’s larger plan, even when the path is difficult.
In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that require us to trust in God’s providence, even when the outcome is uncertain. Like the Israelites, we may experience trials that test our endurance and faith. Like Jesus’ disciples, we are called to prioritize our relationship with him above all else. Let us reflect on where we might be called to surrender our own will or comfort for the sake of following Christ. Even in small acts of kindness or fidelity, we participate in God’s work and store up rewards in heaven. May we embrace the cross of discipleship with courage and trust, knowing that God’s plan is always greater than our own.