Daily Readings - Sat Jul 27 2019
Exodus
3When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do."4Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel.5Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD.6Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar.7Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."8Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
Matthew
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'28"'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'29"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of covenant and challenge. The first reading from Exodus describes the establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites, where Moses acts as the mediator. The people commit to following God's laws, and the ritual with blood signifies the sealing of this sacred agreement. This moment is a cornerstone of Israel's identity, marking their commitment to a life guided by divine commandments.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds, which invites us to reflect on the nature of the kingdom of heaven. The parable illustrates that good and evil can coexist until the time of harvest, when separation will occur. This teaches us about patience and discernment, reminding us that judgment is not ours to make. Instead, we are called to focus on our own growth and trust in God's plan.
These readings remind us that our faith is both a commitment and a journey. Like the Israelites, we are called to live according to God's will, even when the path is uncertain. The parable encourages us to trust in God's timing and to focus on nurturing our own spiritual growth. As we navigate life's challenges, may we remain steadfast in our commitment to God, trusting that He will bring all things to fruition in His time.