Daily Readings - Wed Aug 02 2017
Exodus
29When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.31But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them.32Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.33When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.34But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded,35they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.
Matthew
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the covenant, his face radiant from his encounter with God. This radiance, a symbol of God's glory, inspires both awe and fear in the people, prompting Moses to veil his face. This veil serves as a reminder of the separation between God and humanity, emphasizing the need for a mediator—a role Moses fulfills.
The Gospel reading presents two parables from Matthew, both illustrating the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven. The treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value teach us that true spiritual riches require sacrifice and dedication. Just as the man and the merchant give up everything to obtain their treasures, we are called to prioritize our faith above all else.
Connecting these readings, we see that Moses' radiance reflects the transformative power of encountering God, while the parables urge us to seek spiritual treasures with unwavering commitment. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing our relationship with God, just as Moses did. Let us embrace the challenge to seek God with passion and dedication, recognizing that our faith is the greatest treasure we can attain.