Daily Readings - Wed Jul 30 2025
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 powerful metaphors of transformation and the pursuit of divine treasure. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai, 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 veil his face. This veil symbolizes the mystery and transcendence of God, reminding us of the reverence due to the divine presence.
The Gospel parables in Matthew use the imagery of a hidden treasure and a precious pearl to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven's value. These parables encourage us to seek spiritual riches with the same dedication and joy as one who discovers a great treasure. Just as Moses's encounter with God transformed him, our pursuit of the Kingdom should lead to a willingness to surrender worldly attachments for a higher purpose.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with the divine. Like Moses, we are called to encounter God, allowing this encounter to transform us. Similarly, the parables remind us that spiritual growth requires sacrifice and commitment. Let us strive to seek God with the same fervor as the merchant seeking pearls, embracing the transformative power of faith. May our lives reflect the radiance of a deep, abiding relationship with God, guiding us to prioritize eternal treasures over fleeting worldly gains.