July 21st, 2025, Monday of the 16th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of Exodus.

When it was reported to the King of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants

changed their minds about them. They exclaimed, what have we done? Why we have

released Israel from our service? So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers,

600 first-class chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all. So obstinate had the Lord made

Pharaoh that he pursued the children of Israel even while they were marching away in triumph.

The Egyptians then pursued them. Pharaoh's whole army, his horses, chariots, and charioteers, caught up with them as they

lay encamped by the sea at Pajarat in front of Beozefen. Pharaoh was already near when the children

of Israel looked up and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of

them. In great fright, they cried out to the Lord, and they complained to Moses. Were there no

burial places in Egypt that you had to bring us out here to die in the desert? Why did you do this to us? Why did you bring us

out of Egypt? Did we not tell you this in Egypt when we said, leave us alone, let us serve the Egyptians?

Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians than to die in the desert.

But Moses answered the people,

Fear not, stand your ground, and you will see the victory of the Lord will win for you today.

These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again.

The Lord himself will fight for you.

You have only to keep still.

Then the Lord said to Moses,

Why are you crying out to me?

Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

...