Daily Readings - Tue Aug 08 2023
Numbers
1And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.2And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.3(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)4And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.5And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?9And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.10And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.11And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.12Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.13And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
Matthew
1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.10And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected narratives that invite us to reflect on leadership, humility, and the true nature of purity. The first reading from Numbers recounts the story of Miriam and Aaron challenging Moses’ authority, driven by jealousy over his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. God intervenes, affirming Moses’ unique role and punishing Miriam with leprosy for her envy. This story highlights the importance of trusting in God’s chosen leaders and avoiding the pitfalls of envy.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus being questioned by Pharisees about his disciples’ disregard for traditional handwashing before eating. Jesus responds by teaching that true defilement comes not from what enters the mouth, but from what comes out of it. He criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on external rituals over inner purity, emphasizing the blindness of those who lead others without spiritual insight.
Both readings remind us of the need for inner integrity. In Numbers, it is about recognizing and respecting God’s appointed leaders, while in Matthew, it is about the heart’s condition. These lessons apply to our daily lives by urging us to focus on our own actions and words rather than judging others. The moral here is clear: cultivate humility, avoid envy, and ensure our hearts are pure. Let us strive to embody these virtues, trusting in God’s plan and focusing on our inner transformation.