Daily Readings - Wed Jul 16 2025
Exodus
1Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.2And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.3And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."4When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."5Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."6And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.9And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.10Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."11But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"12He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
Matthew
25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound moments of divine revelation and the call to trust in God's plan. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses' encounter with the burning bush, where God commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses, feeling unworthy and inadequate, questions his ability to fulfill such a daunting task. Yet, God reassures him with the promise, "I will be with you." This exchange highlights the theme of divine vocation and the importance of trusting in God's presence and guidance.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus praising the Father for revealing divine truths to the simple and humble, rather than to the wise and learned. Jesus emphasizes that true understanding comes from the Father through the Son, underscoring the necessity of humility in receiving God's revelation. Together, these readings remind us that God often calls the unlikely and the humble to fulfill His purposes, and that His grace is sufficient to overcome our limitations.
As we reflect on these passages, let us consider how they apply to our own lives. Like Moses, we may feel inadequate when faced with challenges or opportunities to serve. Yet, God's promise to be with us remains steadfast. Similarly, Jesus invites us to approach Him with childlike humility, trusting that He will reveal His truth and guidance to us. May we embrace this call to trust in God's providence and to seek His will with humble and open hearts.