Daily Lectionary | Exodus 11 and Matthew 14

Exodus 11

Summary

The LORD announces the final plague and calls the people to ask for silvery and gold. This anticipates the coming plunder of Egypt and Egypt’s gods (Ex. 12:35). The strength of Yaweh has been made known to the Egyptians who show favor to Israel, but Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. 

The first plague when the Nile was turned into blood was the beginning of the Lord’s vengeance against Pharaoh’s slaughter of Hebrew baby boys in the Nile. The plague cycles build up to this climatic plague which is a final judgment of Egypt. Every firstborn of the land will be struck down by the Lord, from royals to servants to cattle. But the LORD will make a distinction between Egyptians and Israel. 

Reflection

Moses and Aaron performed many miracles before Pharaoh but he still refused to believe. Consider how Jesus’ miracles in the gospel receive a similar response in the Gospels (cf. Matt. 13:53-58).

Matthew 14

Summary

Herod grows worried about Jesus fearing its John the Baptist come-back-life. Herod killed John the Baptist at a feast when the daughter of Herodias asked for John the Baptist head on a platter. This feast turns into a slaughter.

Jesus hears about this and gets into a boat and goes to a desolate place. A crowd follows and he has great compassion for them. Jesus tells the disciples to give the crowds something to eat, but they are baffled as they only have five loaves and two fish. Jesus makes the crowd sit down in green pasture. And as the Shepherd, he feeds the people with a eucharistic blessing: “He gave thanks. Then he broke the loave and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the crowds” (Matt. 14:19).

Here we have two feasts contrasted: a feast at the table of demons and a feast at the table of the Lord. 

After the miraculous meal, Jesus sends his disciples in a boat to the other side while goes off to pray. The boat was battered by a storm and Jesus came to them walking on the water. Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to Jesus. He starts to sink buyt Jesus reaches out and saves him. The disciples recognize Jesus’ identity: “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matt. 14:33). 

Jesus comes to the other side and continues to heal at Gennesaret. Even those who touched the fringes of his robe were healed.

Reflection

We have a meal scene and then a journey across water. Consider how the exodus theme informs the background of Matthew 14.