Daily Readings - Mon Jul 17 2023
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 powerful narratives that challenge us to reflect on faith, sacrifice, and the cost of following God’s will. The first reading from Exodus describes the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, where a new pharaoh, fearful of their growing numbers, enslaves them and orders the death of all male infants. This sets the stage for the eventual liberation under Moses, highlighting the theme of God’s people enduring suffering while awaiting divine deliverance. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus speaking about the divisiveness of his mission: “I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” He emphasizes that following him requires taking up one’s cross and prioritizing faith above even family ties. Jesus also teaches about the importance of hospitality and the reward for those who receive his disciples with kindness.
These readings, though separated by centuries, are deeply connected in their exploration of conflict and commitment. In Exodus, the Israelites face external oppression, while in Matthew, the conflict is internal—within families and hearts. Both texts remind us that living according to God’s plan often involves hardship and difficult choices. The Israelites’ suffering in Egypt foreshadows the suffering that Jesus’ followers may endure, yet both stories hold out hope for ultimate deliverance and reward.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to reflect on our own willingness to embrace the challenges of faith. Are we prepared to face opposition or sacrifice for what we believe? Jesus’ words about taking up our cross remind us that discipleship is not about comfort or convenience but about fidelity to God’s will. At the same time, the Gospel’s emphasis on hospitality and care for others encourages us to see Christ in those around us, especially the vulnerable. In a world often marked by division and selfishness, these readings call us to live with courage, compassion, and trust in God’s providence. Let us strive to follow Christ, even when the path is difficult, and to welcome others with the same love and generosity that God has shown us.