Daily Readings - Tue Jul 29 2025
Exodus
7And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.8And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.9And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.10And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.11And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
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,7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.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.28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Gospel - John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42
John
17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Luke
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of God’s presence, mercy, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Exodus, we witness Moses’ deep communion with God. The Tabernacle of the Covenant, pitched outside the camp, becomes a symbol of God’s presence among His people. Moses, as a leader and intercessor, enters the tabernacle to speak with God face to face, embodying the intimate relationship between God and His chosen ones. The Lord’s descent in a cloud and His merciful revelation of Himself as “slow to anger and rich in kindness” remind us of His steadfast love and patience. Moses’ act of bowing down and pleading for God’s presence with His people underscores the importance of prayer and trust in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, we encounter Martha, whose brother Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Martha’s statement, “I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you,” reveals her deep faith in Jesus’ divine power. Jesus responds by declaring Himself as “the Resurrection and the Life,” offering a profound theological truth about His identity and mission. Martha’s affirmation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is a moment of profound faith, even in the midst of grief and uncertainty. Her response reminds us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s love and plan, even when circumstances seem impossible.
These readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Moses, we are invited to seek God’s presence in our lives, whether through prayer, worship, or moments of quiet reflection. Like Martha, we are challenged to trust in God’s mercy and power, even when we face challenges or losses. The readings remind us that faith is not about avoiding difficulties but about walking through them with confidence in God’s love. Let us strive to deepen our faith, to seek God’s presence in our lives, and to trust in His promise of eternal life. May we, like Martha, affirm our belief in Jesus as the Son of God and find hope in His words: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”