Daily Readings - Wed Jul 28 2021
Exodus
29And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.30And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.31And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.32And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.33And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.34But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.35And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Matthew
44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful images that invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s presence and the joy of seeking His kingdom. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the covenant, his face radiant from his encounter with God. This radiance is so awe-inspiring that the people are afraid to approach him, and Moses must veil his face except when speaking with the Lord. The second reading from Matthew presents two parables: the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value. Both parables emphasize the joy and sacrifice required to seek and possess the kingdom of heaven, suggesting that true treasure lies in relationship with God.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on the transformative encounter with God and the willingness to prioritize this relationship above all else. Moses’ radiant face symbolizes the profound change that comes from being in God’s presence, while the parables in Matthew highlight the joy and commitment required to seek the kingdom. Both readings remind us that encountering God is not a passive experience but one that demands our full engagement and surrender. Just as Moses veiled his face to protect the people from the intensity of God’s presence, we, too, must be mindful of how our encounter with God transforms us and calls us to live differently.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we seek God and how His presence shapes us. Are we willing to “sell everything” to possess the pearl of great value, or do we allow worldly distractions to take precedence? Moses’ veiled face reminds us that our encounter with God is not just for ourselves but also for others. As we grow in our relationship with God, we must share His light with the world, even as we humbly recognize the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. Let us strive to seek God with joy and abandon, trusting that His transformative power will shine through us, guiding others to Him.