Daily Readings - Tue Jul 29 2025
Exodus
7Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.8Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent.9When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.10And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.11Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
4So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.5The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.6The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,7keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."8And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.9And he said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance."28So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of God’s presence, mercy, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Exodus, we witness Moses’ deep communion with God. The Tabernacle of the Covenant, pitched outside the camp, becomes a symbol of God’s presence among His people. Moses, as a leader and intercessor, enters the tabernacle to speak with God face to face, embodying the intimate relationship between God and His chosen ones. The Lord’s descent in a cloud and His merciful revelation of Himself as “slow to anger and rich in kindness” remind us of His steadfast love and patience. Moses’ act of bowing down and pleading for God’s presence with His people underscores the importance of prayer and trust in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, we encounter Martha, whose brother Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Martha’s statement, “I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you,” reveals her deep faith in Jesus’ divine power. Jesus responds by declaring Himself as “the Resurrection and the Life,” offering a profound theological truth about His identity and mission. Martha’s affirmation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is a moment of profound faith, even in the midst of grief and uncertainty. Her response reminds us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s love and plan, even when circumstances seem impossible.
These readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Moses, we are invited to seek God’s presence in our lives, whether through prayer, worship, or moments of quiet reflection. Like Martha, we are challenged to trust in God’s mercy and power, even when we face challenges or losses. The readings remind us that faith is not about avoiding difficulties but about walking through them with confidence in God’s love. Let us strive to deepen our faith, to seek God’s presence in our lives, and to trust in His promise of eternal life. May we, like Martha, affirm our belief in Jesus as the Son of God and find hope in His words: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”