Today’s Readings – Wednesday of week 17 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Exod 34:29-35

Today’s reading comes at the end of an account of the covenant being renewed. The first covenant had fallen through by the Israelites setting up the golden calf as an image of God and worshipping it with sacrifices and holocausts. God had been displeased and Moses was so angry at the sight of the revelling Israelites that he threw the tablets on the ground where they were smashed to pieces.

It was the end of the covenant. But it was not God who had broken it but the people who had reneged on solemn promises to keep the Lord’s commandments.

Moses now asked God who was to be their leader from now on. If they were to continue their journey, they needed the assurance that the Lord was with them.

Moses was then told to cut two … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Tuesday of week 17 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Exod 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28

There are two distinct parts in today’s reading. First, we are told how intimate Moses was with the Lord and, in the second part, there are instructions on how the people are to provide gifts for the needs of worship.

We a … Continue