Daily Readings - Mon Jul 14 2025
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 the nature of faith, struggle, and divine providence. The first reading from Exodus describes the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, where a new Pharaoh, fearful of their growing numbers, imposes harsh labor and decrees the death of all male infants. This sets the stage for the eventual liberation of God's people, highlighting the tension between human oppression and God's plan for salvation. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus' challenging words about the cost of discipleship. He speaks of division within families and the necessity of carrying one's cross, emphasizing that true fidelity to Him requires sacrifice and prioritizing His will above all else. Jesus also assures His disciples that those who receive them in His name will be rewarded, even in the simplest acts of kindness.
The context of these readings reveals the broader themes of struggle and trust in God's plan. In Exodus, the Israelites' suffering is not without purpose; it is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant faithfulness. Similarly, in Matthew, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face as they spread His message. Both readings remind us that following God does not guarantee comfort or ease but demands courage, perseverance, and trust in His ultimate plan.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to reflect on how we respond to struggles and challenges. Like the Israelites in Egypt, we may face situations that feel oppressive or unjust, but we are called to trust that God is always at work, even when His ways are not immediately clear. Like the disciples, we are called to fidelity and sacrifice, prioritizing our relationship with Christ above all else. In a world that often values comfort and security, these readings challenge us to embrace the cross and to live with a deeper sense of purpose and commitment to our faith. Let us strive to trust in God's plan, even in the midst of difficulty, and to live in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.