Daily Readings - Sat Jul 17 2021

³⁷And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.³⁸A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.³⁹And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.⁴⁰The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years.⁴¹At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.⁴²It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.

Matthew

Chapter 12

¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.¹⁵Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all¹⁶and ordered them not to make him known.¹⁷This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:¹⁸"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.¹⁹He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;²⁰a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;²¹and in his name the Gentiles will hope."

Sermon

The first reading from Exodus recounts the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, marking the end of their 430-year sojourn. The text emphasizes the urgency of their exit, as they left with unleavened bread, unable to wait for it to rise. This moment is not just a historical event but a sacred observance, a night the Lord Himself led His people out of slavery. It is a reminder of God's deliverance and the importance of remembering His saving acts. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who, aware of the Pharisees' plot against Him, withdrew and continued His ministry of healing. The passage is filled with quiet power, as Jesus avoids confrontation and instead fulfills Isaiah's prophecy of the gentle Messiah. He is the Servant who does not break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick, offering hope to all nations. This image contrasts sharply with the world's notion of power, revealing a Savior who triumphs through humility and compassion. Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and hope. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God's providence, even in uncertain times. Jesus shows us that true strength lies not in dominance but in gentleness and mercy. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God's plan and to live with the humility and compassion of Christ, bringing hope to a world in need.