Daily Readings - Tue Aug 01 2017

First Reading - Exodus 33.7-11; 34.4b-9, 28

⁷Also, Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it beyond the camp at a distance, and he called its name: ‘Tabernacle of the Covenant.’ And all the people, who had any kind of question, went out to the Tabernacle of the Covenant, beyond the camp⁸And when Moses went out to the tabernacle, all the people rose up, and each one stood at the door of his pavilion, and they beheld the back of Moses until he entered the tent⁹And when he had gone into the Tabernacle of the Covenant, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door, and he spoke with Moses¹⁰And all discerned that the pillar of cloud stood at the door of the Tabernacle. And they stood and worshipped at the doors of their tents¹¹But the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, just as a man is used to speaking to his friend. And when he returned to the camp, his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not withdraw from the Tabernacle

Chapter 34

⁴And so he cut out two tablets of stone, like those that were before. And rising up in the night, he ascended onto Mount Sinai, just as the Lord had instructed him, carrying with him the tablets⁵And when the Lord had descended in a cloud, Moses stood with him, calling upon the name of the Lord⁶And as he was crossing before him, he said: "The Ruler, the Lord God, merciful and lenient, patient and full of compassion and also truthful⁷who preserves mercy a thousand fold, who takes away iniquity, and wickedness, and also sin; and with you no one, in and of himself, is innocent. You render the iniquity of the fathers to the sons, and also to their descendents to the third and fourth generation.⁸And hurrying, Moses bowed down prostrate to the ground; and worshiping⁹he said: "If I have found grace in your sight, O Lord, I beg you to walk with us, (for the people are stiff-necked) and take away our iniquities and our sin, and so possess us.²⁸Therefore, he was in that place with the Lord for forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread and he did not drink water, and he wrote on the tablets the ten words of the covenant

Gospel - Matthew 13.36-43

Matthew

Chapter 13

³⁶Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. And his disciples drew near to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.³⁷Responding, he said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man³⁸Now the field is the world. And the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. But the weeds are the sons of wickedness³⁹So the enemy who sowed them is the devil. And truly, the harvest is the consummation of the age; while the reapers are the Angels⁴⁰Therefore, just as weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the consummation of the age⁴¹The Son of man shall send out his Angels, and they shall gather from his kingdom all who lead astray and those who work iniquity⁴²And he shall cast them into the furnace of fire, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth⁴³Then the just ones shall shine like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on God's presence, mercy, and justice, inviting us to consider our spiritual journey and relationship with the divine. The Exodus narrative depicts Moses as a mediator, interceding for his people, seeking God's presence and forgiveness. The Tabernacle, pitched outside the camp, symbolizes a sacred space where God's people seek guidance and reconciliation. Moses' intimate conversation with God underscores the theme of divine mercy, as God renews the covenant, acknowledging human frailty yet offering compassion. This passage reminds us of the enduring nature of God's love and the importance of prayer and intercession in our lives. The Gospel parable, as explained by Jesus, presents a stark contrast between good and evil, emphasizing the inevitability of judgment. The weeds, symbolizing evil, will be separated from the good seeds, representing the righteous. This parable calls us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to be mindful of our actions and align them with the values of God's kingdom. It serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences and that we are called to live virtuously, trusting in God's ultimate plan. Both readings, though separated by time, unite in their message of God's justice and mercy. They encourage us to seek a deeper connection with God, to live righteously, and to trust in His plan. As we navigate our daily lives, may we embrace the call to be the good seeds, striving to reflect God's love and justice. Let us pray for the grace to remain faithful, mindful of our actions, and trusting in God's enduring mercy and plan for our lives.