Daily Readings - Fri Jul 21 2017
First Reading - Exodus 11.10 12.14
Exodus
10Now Moses and Aaron did all the wonders that are written, in the sight of Pharaoh. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; neither did he release the sons of Israel from his land
14Then you shall have this day as a memorial, and you shall celebrate it as a solemnity to the Lord, in your generations, as an everlasting devotion
Gospel - Matthew 12.1-8
Matthew
1At that time, Jesus went out through the ripe grain on the Sabbath. And his disciples, being hungry, began to separate the grain and to eat2Then the Pharisees, seeing this, said to him, "Behold, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbaths.3But he said to them: "Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him4how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests5Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, and they are without guilt6But I say to you, that something greater than the temple is here7And if you knew what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would never have condemned the innocent8For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two significant biblical narratives that invite us to reflect on the balance between ritual observance and compassionate action. The first reading from Exodus recounts the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, culminating in the institution of the Passover as a perpetual memorial. This ritual serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the importance of honoring divine acts through tradition.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus challenging the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the Sabbath. When His disciples pick grain to eat, Jesus defends their actions by referencing Old Testament precedents, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should sometimes take precedence over ritualistic observances. He asserts His authority over the Sabbath, highlighting that the spirit of the law, rooted in mercy, is paramount.
These readings connect by illustrating that while religious rituals and laws are foundational, they must be tempered with understanding and compassion. In Exodus, the Passover ritual commemorates God's action, while in Matthew, Jesus teaches that true religious observance must consider human welfare. This balance is crucial in our daily lives, where we are called to honor our faith traditions while responding to the needs of others with love and kindness.
As we apply these teachings, let us remember that the heart of our faith is not merely in following rules, but in embodying love and compassion. May we seek to understand the spirit behind our practices, allowing mercy to guide our actions, just as Jesus taught. In doing so, we honor God not just through rituals, but through lives lived in service and kindness to others.