Daily Readings - Thu Jul 27 2017
First Reading - Exodus 19.1-2, 9-11, 16-20b
Exodus
1In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.9And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.10And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,11And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.16And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.17And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.18And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.19And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.20And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
Gospel - Matthew 13.10-17
Matthew
10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:15For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine revelation, each highlighting the importance of openness and preparedness to receive God's message.
The first reading from Exodus recounts the Israelites' arrival at Mount Sinai, where God is about to establish His covenant with them. The dramatic display of thunders, lightning, and smoke signifies the awe-inspiring presence of God. The people are instructed to prepare themselves through purification, symbolizing the need for spiritual readiness to receive divine law. This event marks the giving of the Ten Commandments, a foundational moment in their covenant with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus explains to His disciples why He uses parables. He indicates that while some are granted understanding of the kingdom's mysteries, others are not. This reflects the idea that spiritual truths are not universally received; they require a receptive heart. Jesus references Isaiah, emphasizing that some hearts have grown dull, unable to see or hear. However, the disciples are blessed with the ability to perceive, underscoring their privileged position and responsibility.
These readings connect through the theme of revelation and response. Both moments involve a select group prepared to understand and receive God's message. The Israelites at Sinai and the disciples of Jesus are called to a deeper understanding, illustrating that divine truths are not passively received but require active engagement and openness.
In our daily lives, this calls us to cultivate a receptive heart, attentive to God's voice. Just as the Israelites prepared to meet God, we must prepare ourselves through prayer and reflection. The responsibility that comes with understanding is to live according to God's will, using our insights to guide our actions and decisions. Let us embrace this call to spiritual readiness, ensuring our hearts remain open to the divine revelations in our lives.