Daily Readings - Fri Jul 21 2017
Exodus
10Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.
14"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance.
Matthew
1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread--which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two significant biblical narratives that invite us to reflect on the balance between ritual observance and compassionate action. The first reading from Exodus recounts the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, culminating in the institution of the Passover as a perpetual memorial. This ritual serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the importance of honoring divine acts through tradition.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the Sabbath. When His disciples pick grain to eat, Jesus defends their actions by referencing Old Testament precedents, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should sometimes take precedence over ritualistic observances. He asserts His authority over the Sabbath, highlighting that the spirit of the law, rooted in mercy, is paramount.
These readings connect by illustrating that while religious rituals and laws are foundational, they must be tempered with understanding and compassion. In Exodus, the Passover ritual commemorates God's action, while in Matthew, Jesus teaches that true religious observance must consider human welfare. This balance is crucial in our daily lives, where we are called to honor our faith traditions while responding to the needs of others with love and kindness.
As we apply these teachings, let us remember that the heart of our faith is not merely in following rules, but in embodying love and compassion. May we seek to understand the spirit behind our practices, allowing mercy to guide our actions, just as Jesus taught. In doing so, we honor God not just through rituals, but through lives lived in service and kindness to others.