Daily Readings - Sun Jun 04 2023
Exodus
4And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.5And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,8And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.9And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
John
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, love, and the call to live in harmony with one another. In the first reading from Exodus, Moses encounters God on Mount Sinai, where he receives the tablets of the covenant again after the people’s sin with the golden calf. God reveals Himself as merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. This passage reminds us of God’s patience and forgiveness, even in the face of human failure. Moses’ humble response—bowing down and asking for God’s presence—shows the proper posture of gratitude and trust in a merciful God.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians encourages the community to live in peace and unity. Paul urges the Corinthians to rejoice, be perfected, and have the same mind, emphasizing the importance of harmony among believers. He reminds them that the God of peace and love is with them, and he encourages them to greet one another with a holy kiss—a sign of unity and affection. This reading calls us to live as people of peace, striving for oneness in Christ.
The Gospel from John brings these themes together by revealing the depth of God’s love for the world. John 3:16, one of the most familiar verses in Scripture, declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life. This passage underscores that God’s purpose is not to condemn but to save. It invites us to reflect on the boundless love of God, who desires that all people might come to know and experience His salvation.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded of the central truths of our faith: God’s mercy, His desire for unity among His people, and the boundless love He has for the world. In our daily lives, we are called to embody these truths. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s mercy and love, forgiving others as He forgives us and working toward unity in our relationships and communities. May we never lose sight of the profound gift of salvation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and may we share that gift with a world in need of His love.