Daily Readings - Sat Jul 19 2025

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 and the beginning of their journey to freedom. 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 to be remembered for generations—a testament to God's deliverance. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who, aware of the Pharisees' plot against him, withdraws and continues his ministry of healing. Here, Jesus embodies the gentle and humble servant prophesied by Isaiah, one who brings hope not through confrontation but through quiet, steadfast love. Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and humility. The Israelites had to trust God's plan, leaving behind the familiar and embracing the unknown. Similarly, Jesus, in the face of opposition, trusted in his Father's will, choosing not to confront but to continue his mission of healing and hope. These stories remind us that God often works in ways that are not loud or forceful but gentle and persistent. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God's timing and provision, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Like Jesus, we are called to approach life with humility, avoiding unnecessary conflict and instead seeking to bring light and hope to those around us. In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to embrace trust and humility. When we feel pressured or threatened, we can withdraw to a place of prayer and discernment, trusting that God is at work. When we face opposition or difficulty, we can choose to respond with gentleness rather than aggression, knowing that true strength lies in meekness. Let us remember that our ultimate hope is not in our own efforts but in the quiet, persistent work of God's Spirit in us and through us. May we, like the Israelites and like Jesus, walk in faith and humility, trusting that God's plan will prevail.