Daily Readings - Tue Jul 16 2019
Exodus
1Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman,2and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.3But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.4His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.5Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it.6She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said.7Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?"8"Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother.9Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you." So the woman took the baby and nursed him.10When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water."11One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.12Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.13The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"14The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."15When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.
Matthew
20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.21"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God's providence and our response to His grace. The first reading from Exodus recounts the early life of Moses, highlighting God's intervention in the midst of adversity. Moses, destined for greatness, is saved from certain death through the courage of his mother and the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter. This act of divine providence sets the stage for Moses' future role as a leader. However, we also see Moses' initial attempt to intervene on behalf of his people, which leads to rejection and his subsequent flight to Midian. This story reminds us that even in moments of failure, God's plan continues to unfold.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus rebuking cities that witnessed miracles yet failed to repent. Jesus emphasizes that the lack of response to God's grace will have consequences, suggesting that even the most sinful cities of old would fare better on judgment day. This passage underscores the responsibility that comes with receiving God's blessings—faith and repentance are expected responses.
Both readings connect through the theme of response to divine action. Moses' story illustrates that God works through human actions, even in the face of setbacks, while Jesus' rebuke in Matthew highlights the importance of acknowledging and responding to God's grace. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger narrative guided by God's will.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are encouraged to be attentive to God's presence and to respond with humility and faith. Just as Moses was called to lead despite his flaws, we too are called to serve and respond to God's grace. Let us not take God's blessings for granted but instead live with the awareness that our actions have spiritual consequences. May we strive to be responsive to God's will, trusting in His providence and seeking to live in accordance with His plan.