Daily Readings - Thu Aug 03 2017
First Reading - Exodus 40.16-21, 34-38
Exodus
16Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.17And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.18And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.19And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.20And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.34Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:37But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.38For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Gospel - Matthew 13.47-52
Matthew
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of God’s presence and the ultimate fulfillment of His plan. The first reading from Exodus describes the completion of the tabernacle, a sacred space where God dwells among His people. Moses carefully follows God’s instructions, and the tabernacle is filled with the glory of the Lord, symbolized by the cloud. This cloud not only signifies God’s presence but also guides the Israelites on their journey, reminding us that God is both with us and leading us. The tabernacle becomes a place of encounter, where the divine and human meet.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the net to describe the kingdom of heaven. The net gathers all kinds of fish, good and bad, but at the end of the age, they are separated. This parable reminds us that our lives are not without consequence. The choices we make, the way we live, and the love we share will ultimately be revealed. Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven is not just a future reality but also a present call to live in a way that reflects God’s justice and mercy. The parable also highlights the role of the scribe, who draws from the treasure of God’s wisdom, both old and new, to guide others in understanding the kingdom.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live in the presence of God and how we prepare for the ultimate encounter with Him. Like the tabernacle, our lives should be a place where God’s glory dwells, and like the scribe, we should share the richness of God’s wisdom with others. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects God’s presence? Are we using the gifts and talents He has given us to build up the kingdom? May we strive to be good fish in the net, living with purpose and integrity, so that when the time of separation comes, we may be found worthy to dwell in God’s eternal presence.