Daily Readings - Thu Jul 29 2021
Exodus
16This Moses did; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so he did.17In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.18Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars.19And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.20He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark.21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.35And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.36Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.37But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.38For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
Gospel - John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42
John
17Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.20So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.21Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.22But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."24Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"27She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."
Luke
38Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.40But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."41But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of God's presence and promise. The first reading from Exodus describes the establishment of the tabernacle, a sacred space where God dwells among the Israelites. The detailed setup and the cloud and fire symbols emphasize God's guidance and presence, reassuring the Israelites of His constant companionship in the wilderness.
The Gospel from John presents a deeply personal moment between Jesus and Martha, where Martha's faith is tested by grief. Jesus' response transcends her hope for a future resurrection by declaring Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, offering eternal life through faith in Him. Martha's affirmation underscores her trust in Jesus as the Messiah.
Both readings converge on the theme of God's presence and the hope it inspires. The tabernacle symbolizes God's physical presence, while Jesus embodies the spiritual presence of God, offering eternal life. This duality reminds us to trust in God's presence in our lives, finding hope and comfort in His promises. Let us embrace this hope, trusting in God's plan and the eternal life offered through faith in Jesus.