Daily Readings - Wed Jul 30 2025
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 powerful metaphors of transformation and the pursuit of divine treasure. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai, his face radiant after speaking with God. This radiance, a physical manifestation of his spiritual encounter, inspires both awe and fear in the people, prompting Moses to veil his face. This veil symbolizes the mystery and transcendence of God, reminding us of the reverence due to the divine presence.
The Gospel parables in Matthew use the imagery of a hidden treasure and a precious pearl to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven's value. These parables encourage us to seek spiritual riches with the same dedication and joy as one who discovers a great treasure. Just as Moses's encounter with God transformed him, our pursuit of the Kingdom should lead to a willingness to surrender worldly attachments for a higher purpose.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with the divine. Like Moses, we are called to encounter God, allowing this encounter to transform us. Similarly, the parables remind us that spiritual growth requires sacrifice and commitment. Let us strive to seek God with the same fervor as the merchant seeking pearls, embracing the transformative power of faith. May our lives reflect the radiance of a deep, abiding relationship with God, guiding us to prioritize eternal treasures over fleeting worldly gains.