Daily Readings - Wed Jul 28 2021
Exodus
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.
Matthew
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 powerful images that invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s presence and the joy of seeking His kingdom. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the covenant, his face radiant from his encounter with God. This radiance is so awe-inspiring that the people are afraid to approach him, and Moses must veil his face except when speaking with the Lord. The second reading from Matthew presents two parables: the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value. Both parables emphasize the joy and sacrifice required to seek and possess the kingdom of heaven, suggesting that true treasure lies in relationship with God.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on the transformative encounter with God and the willingness to prioritize this relationship above all else. Moses’ radiant face symbolizes the profound change that comes from being in God’s presence, while the parables in Matthew highlight the joy and commitment required to seek the kingdom. Both readings remind us that encountering God is not a passive experience but one that demands our full engagement and surrender. Just as Moses veiled his face to protect the people from the intensity of God’s presence, we, too, must be mindful of how our encounter with God transforms us and calls us to live differently.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we seek God and how His presence shapes us. Are we willing to “sell everything” to possess the pearl of great value, or do we allow worldly distractions to take precedence? Moses’ veiled face reminds us that our encounter with God is not just for ourselves but also for others. As we grow in our relationship with God, we must share His light with the world, even as we humbly recognize the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. Let us strive to seek God with joy and abandon, trusting that His transformative power will shine through us, guiding others to Him.