Daily Readings - Mon Aug 19 2019
Judges
11And the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they served the Baals12And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had led them away from the land of Egypt. And they followed foreign gods and the gods of the peoples who were living around them, and they adored them. And they provoked the Lord to wrath13forsaking him, and serving Baal and Ashtaroth14And the Lord, having become angry against Israel, delivered them into the hands of plunderers, who seized them and sold them to the enemies that were living on all sides. Neither were they able to withstand their adversaries15Instead, wherever they wanted to go, the hand of the Lord was upon them, just as he said and just as he swore to them. And they were greatly afflicted16And the Lord raised up judges, who would free them from the hands of their oppressors. But they were not willing to listen to them17Fornicating with foreign gods and adoring them, they quickly deserted the way along which their fathers had advanced. And having heard the commandments of the Lord, they did all things to the contrary18And while the Lord was raising up the judges, in their days, he was moved to mercy, and he listened to the groaning of the afflicted, and he freed them from the slaughter of their oppressors19But after a judge had died, they turned back, and they were doing much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them, and adoring them. They did not abandon their pursuits and their very stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk
Matthew
16And behold, someone approached and said to him, "Good Teacher, what good should I do, so that I may have eternal life?17And he said to him: "Why do you question me about what is good? One is good: God. But if you wish to enter into life, observe the commandments.18He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said: "You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony19Honor your father and your mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.20The young man said to him: "All these I have kept from my childhood. What is still lacking for me?21Jesus said to him: "If you are willing to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.22And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad, for he had many possessions
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct yet interconnected narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God. The first reading from Judges recounts the cyclical pattern of the Israelites' disobedience, their subsequent suffering, and God's merciful deliverance through judges. This passage highlights the recurring theme of sin, repentance, and redemption in the history of God's people. The Israelites' turning away from God to serve idols reflects a deeper human tendency to seek comfort and security in fleeting earthly things rather than in the eternal and unchanging God.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a young man who approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life. Jesus responds by listing the commandments, emphasizing the importance of moral living. When the young man claims to have kept all these commandments, Jesus challenges him to go further: to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him. This exchange underscores the idea that while outward obedience to the law is necessary, true discipleship requires a radical commitment to God above all else. The young man's sadness reveals the difficulty of letting go of worldly attachments, even for one who has lived a virtuous life.
These readings together invite us to examine our own lives. Like the Israelites, we may find ourselves in cycles of sin and repentance, yet God remains faithful and merciful. Like the rich young man, we may outwardly follow the rules but struggle with deeper surrender. The moral lesson here is clear: following God demands more than superficial obedience; it requires a willingness to let go of everything that hinders our relationship with him. True freedom and fulfillment come not from clinging to earthly possessions or comforts but from trusting in God's providence and living with hearts fully surrendered to his will. Let us prayerfully consider where we may be holding back and ask for the grace to follow Jesus more wholeheartedly.