Daily Readings - Mon Jul 21 2025
Exodus
5When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!"6So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him.7He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.8The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.9The Egyptians-all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops-pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.11They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?12Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"13Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.14The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."15Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.16Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.17I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.18The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen."
Matthew
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.42The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God. The first reading from Exodus recounts the pivotal moment when the Israelites, having fled Egypt, find themselves trapped between the pursuing army and the Red Sea. Faced with this desperation, the people's fear leads them to question Moses' leadership. Yet, Moses stands firm, assuring them of God's deliverance. This episode is a testament to the Israelites' journey of trust, as they learn to rely on God's providence even in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a different yet complementary scenario. Jesus is confronted by Pharisees demanding a sign, seeking proof of His authority. Jesus responds by alluding to the sign of Jonah, symbolizing His own resurrection, and references the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South, who recognized God's wisdom without needing signs. This highlights the theme of faith that transcends the need for physical signs, emphasizing instead the presence of God's word and wisdom among us.
Both readings converge on the theme of trust. The Exodus story illustrates trust in action during crisis, while Matthew's narrative underscores trust in God's presence without the need for signs. In our daily lives, these teachings remind us to trust God in moments of uncertainty and to seek faith beyond physical manifestations. Let us embrace this trust, allowing it to guide us through life's challenges, just as it guided the Israelites and enlightens us through Christ's teachings.