Daily Readings - Tue Aug 05 2025
Numbers
1Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.2"Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard this.3(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)4At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you." So the three of them came out.5Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward,6he said, "Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.7But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.8With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"9The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them.10When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam-leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy;11and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.12Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with its flesh half eaten away."13So Moses cried out to the LORD, "O God, please heal her!"
Matthew
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."29"Come," he said.30Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful stories that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Numbers tells the story of Miriam and Aaron questioning Moses’ leadership because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. Their jealousy and pride lead them to challenge Moses, but God defends him, affirming Moses’ unique role as a faithful servant. Miriam is afflicted with leprosy as a consequence of their rebellion, but Moses’ prayer for her healing shows his compassion and intercession. This story reminds us of the dangers of envy and the importance of humility, while also highlighting Moses’ exceptional relationship with God.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus walking on the water. After feeding the crowds, Jesus sends his disciples ahead in a boat while he prays alone on a mountain. The disciples face a storm, and in their fear, they see Jesus walking toward them and think he is a ghost. Peter, in a moment of boldness, asks to join Jesus on the water, but his faith falters when he feels the strong wind. Jesus rescues him, gently rebuking his lack of faith. This story underscores the importance of trusting in God’s presence, even when circumstances seem impossible or frightening. It also shows that even in our doubt, Jesus is always ready to save us.
Both readings call us to examine our own faith and trust in God. Like Miriam and Aaron, we may sometimes let jealousy or pride cloud our judgment, but God’s justice and mercy are always at work. Like Peter, we may waver in our faith when challenges arise, but Jesus’ promise to be with us remains steadfast. These stories remind us that faith is not about being perfect; it’s about turning to God in every moment, even when we feel weak or uncertain. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan, to humbly acknowledge our limitations, and to reach out for his saving hand, just as Peter did. In doing so, we can walk more confidently on the “waters” of our own lives, knowing that Jesus is always with us.