Daily Readings - Tue Jul 23 2019
Exodus
21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,22and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.23The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.24During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.25He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."26Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."27Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea.28The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen-the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.29But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.30That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.31And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
1Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.21Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."
Matthew
46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of trust, deliverance, and redefined relationships. The first reading from Exodus recounts the dramatic escape of the Israelites from the Egyptians through the parting of the Red Sea. Moses, acting in faith, stretches out his staff, and God’s mighty hand divides the waters, allowing the Israelites to pass safely. When the Egyptians pursue, the sea closes again, engulfing them. This miracle leads to a song of triumph, as Moses and Miriam praise God for his deliverance. The second reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who, while teaching, is approached by his family. Yet, he expands the notion of family to include all who do the will of his Father, emphasizing that spiritual bonds can transcend biological ties.
These readings invite us to reflect on trust and relationship. The Israelites, facing the pursuing army, had to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seemed impossible. Their deliverance was not just physical but also a spiritual awakening, as they came to know God’s power more deeply. Similarly, Jesus challenges us to rethink our understanding of family and community. True kinship is not limited to blood relations but is formed by those who share a common purpose and commitment to God’s will.
In our daily lives, we often face moments where we must trust in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Like the Israelites, we may feel pursued by challenges or doubts, but God’s deliverance is always at hand. Additionally, Jesus reminds us that our spiritual family is vast and inclusive. We are called to build communities rooted in faith, love, and shared values. Let us strive to trust in God’s plan and to embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, united in our commitment to his will.