Daily Readings - Wed Aug 02 2023
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 profound moments of divine encounter and transformation. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the covenant, his face radiant after speaking with God. This radiance, a physical manifestation of his spiritual encounter, inspires both awe and fear in the people, prompting Moses to wear a veil except when he is in God's presence. This passage underscores the transformative power of being in God's presence and the reverence it inspires.
The Gospel from Matthew presents two parables: the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value. Both illustrate the joy and sacrifice involved in seeking the Kingdom of Heaven. The treasure, once found, is so cherished that one sells all possessions to acquire it. Similarly, the merchant, upon finding the pearl, sells everything to purchase it. These parables highlight the invaluable nature of spiritual truth and the commitment required to pursue it.
These readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme of transformation and commitment. Moses' radiance symbolizes the impact of divine encounter, while the parables emphasize the joy and sacrifice of seeking spiritual riches. In our daily lives, we are called to seek God with such dedication, allowing His presence to transform us. Just as Moses' encounter changed him, our pursuit of God should lead to a life of commitment and joy, reflecting the divine light within us. Let us strive to prioritize our spiritual journey, embracing the transformation it brings, and cherish the invaluable gift of God's Kingdom.