Daily Readings - Sat Jul 19 2025
Exodus
37The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.38Many other people went up with them, as well as large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.39With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves.40Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years.41At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt.42Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.
Matthew
14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick,16warning them not to tell who he was.17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:18"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.20A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.21In his name the nations will put their hope."
Sermon
The first reading from Exodus recounts the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, marking the end of their 430-year sojourn and the beginning of their journey to freedom. The text emphasizes the urgency of their exit, as they left with unleavened bread, unable to wait for it to rise. This moment is not just a historical event but a sacred observance, a night to be remembered for generations—a testament to God's deliverance. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who, aware of the Pharisees' plot against him, withdraws and continues his ministry of healing. Here, Jesus embodies the gentle and humble servant prophesied by Isaiah, one who brings hope not through confrontation but through quiet, steadfast love.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and humility. The Israelites had to trust God's plan, leaving behind the familiar and embracing the unknown. Similarly, Jesus, in the face of opposition, trusted in his Father's will, choosing not to confront but to continue his mission of healing and hope. These stories remind us that God often works in ways that are not loud or forceful but gentle and persistent. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God's timing and provision, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Like Jesus, we are called to approach life with humility, avoiding unnecessary conflict and instead seeking to bring light and hope to those around us.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to embrace trust and humility. When we feel pressured or threatened, we can withdraw to a place of prayer and discernment, trusting that God is at work. When we face opposition or difficulty, we can choose to respond with gentleness rather than aggression, knowing that true strength lies in meekness. Let us remember that our ultimate hope is not in our own efforts but in the quiet, persistent work of God's Spirit in us and through us. May we, like the Israelites and like Jesus, walk in faith and humility, trusting that God's plan will prevail.