Daily Readings - Wed Jul 30 2025
Exodus
29When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.31But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them.32Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.33When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.34But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded,35they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.
Matthew
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful metaphors of transformation and the pursuit of divine treasure. The first reading from Exodus describes Moses descending from Mount Sinai, his face radiant after speaking with God. This radiance, a physical manifestation of his spiritual encounter, inspires both awe and fear in the people, prompting Moses to veil his face. This veil symbolizes the mystery and transcendence of God, reminding us of the reverence due to the divine presence.
The Gospel parables in Matthew use the imagery of a hidden treasure and a precious pearl to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven's value. These parables encourage us to seek spiritual riches with the same dedication and joy as one who discovers a great treasure. Just as Moses's encounter with God transformed him, our pursuit of the Kingdom should lead to a willingness to surrender worldly attachments for a higher purpose.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with the divine. Like Moses, we are called to encounter God, allowing this encounter to transform us. Similarly, the parables remind us that spiritual growth requires sacrifice and commitment. Let us strive to seek God with the same fervor as the merchant seeking pearls, embracing the transformative power of faith. May our lives reflect the radiance of a deep, abiding relationship with God, guiding us to prioritize eternal treasures over fleeting worldly gains.