Daily Readings - Mon Jul 15 2019
Exodus
8Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt.9"Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us.10Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country."11So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites13and worked them ruthlessly.14They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.22Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live."
Matthew
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.35For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and compassion. The first reading from Exodus recounts the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced relentless labor and the cruel decree to kill every male infant. This sets the stage for the eventual redemption through Moses, highlighting God's faithfulness amidst suffering. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus speaking about the divisive nature of His mission, emphasizing that following Him may lead to family conflicts and personal sacrifices. He also underscores the importance of welcoming others in His name, even through simple acts of kindness.
These readings, though from different times, share a common theme of enduring hardship for a greater purpose. The Israelites' suffering in Egypt prefigured their liberation, while Jesus' words in Matthew call believers to stand firm in their faith despite challenges. Both stories remind us that our struggles are not without meaning and that God's plan often unfolds through adversity.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced with opposition. They remind us that our actions, no matter how small, can reflect God's love and bring comfort to others. Trusting in God's providence and showing compassion, as Jesus taught, helps us navigate life's difficulties with grace and hope.