Daily Readings - Wed Jul 14 2021
Exodus
1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.2And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.3And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.4And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.9Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.10Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.11And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Matthew
25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine interaction that invite us to reflect on trust, humility, and the nature of God's revelation. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses' encounter with God in the burning bush. Moses, tending his father-in-law's sheep, is unexpectedly called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite his hesitation and self-doubt, God assures Moses of His presence and support, emphasizing His trust in Moses' ability to fulfill this mission. This passage highlights the theme of divine vocation and the importance of trusting in God's plan, even when we feel inadequate.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a complementary perspective. Jesus praises God for revealing divine truths to the "little ones" rather than to the wise and learned. This prayer underscores the idea that spiritual understanding is not reserved for the intellectually elite but is accessible to those who approach with humility and simplicity. Jesus also affirms that true knowledge of God comes through knowing the Son, who reveals the Father to those who are open to His truth. This teaching challenges us to cultivate humility and openness in our relationship with God.
Both readings remind us that God often works through the unlikely and the humble. Moses, a man who felt unworthy, became a great leader, and Jesus teaches that divine truths are revealed to those who are simple of heart. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when we feel unprepared or uncertain. They invite us to embrace humility and openness, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God, not from human pride or self-reliance. Let us reflect on how we can respond to God's call with faith and humility, trusting that He will be with us, just as He was with Moses.