Daily Readings - Fri Aug 09 2019
Deuteronomy
32Inquire concerning the days of antiquity, which were before you, from the day when God created man upon the earth, from one end of heaven to another, if anything similar has ever occurred, or whether any such thing has ever been known33that a people would hear the voice of God, speaking from the midst of fire, just as you have heard it, and live34whether God has acted so as to enter and take for himself a nation from the midst of the nations, by means of tests, signs, and wonders, by means of fighting, and a strong hand, and an outstretched arm, and terrible visions, in accord with all the things which the Lord your God has accomplished for you in Egypt, in the sight of your eyes35So may you know that the Lord himself is God, and there is no other beside him36He has caused you to hear his voice from heaven, so that he might teach you. And he showed you his exceedingly great fire on earth, and you heard his words from the midst of the fire37For he loved your fathers, and he chose their offspring after them. And he led you away from Egypt, advancing before you with his great power38so as to wipe away, upon your arrival, nations, very great and stronger than you, and so as to lead you in, and to present to you their land as a possession, just as you discern in the present day39Therefore, know on this day and consider in your heart, that the Lord himself is God in heaven above, and on earth below, and there is no other40Keep his precepts and commandments, which I am teaching to you, so that it may be well with you, and with your sons after you, and so that you may remain for a long time upon the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.
Matthew
24Then Jesus said to his disciples: "If anyone is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me25For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life for my sake, shall find it26For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet truly suffers damage to his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul27For the Son of man will arrive in the glory of his Father, with his Angels. And then he will repay each one according to his works28Amen I say to you, there are some among those standing here, who shall not taste death, until they see the Son of man arriving in his reign.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, commitment, and the ultimate reward of following God's path. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God's unique presence in our lives, highlighted through His mighty deeds and the covenant with the Israelites. Moses urges the people to remember God's wonders and to adhere to His commandments, emphasizing that there is no other God besides Him. This passage serves as a call to trust in God's providence and to live according to His will.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus' teachings on discipleship, where He calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their crosses. This is not a call to misery, but to a life of purpose and meaning centered on God. Jesus warns against valuing worldly success over spiritual well-being, reminding us that our true treasure lies in heaven. He promises that those who lose their lives for His sake will find true life, and that faithfulness will be rewarded when He returns in glory.
These readings connect through their emphasis on commitment and trust in God. Both Moses and Jesus call us to prioritize our spiritual lives, trusting that God's ways, though sometimes challenging, lead to true fulfillment. In our daily lives, this means embracing selflessness, standing firm in our faith, and making sacrifices for the greater good. The moral lesson is clear: our ultimate reward comes from following God, not from earthly successes. Let us trust in His plan and willingly take up our crosses, knowing that true life is found in Him.