Daily Readings - Thu Feb 18 2021
Deuteronomy
15Consider what I have set forth in your sight this day, life and good, or, on the opposite side, death and evil16so that you may love the Lord your God, and walk in his ways, and keep his commandments and ceremonies and judgments, and so that you may live, and he may multiply you and bless you in the land, which you shall enter in order to possess17But if your heart will have been turned aside, so that you are not willing to listen, and, having been deceived by error, you adore strange gods and serve them18then I predict to you this day that you will perish, and you will remain for only a short time in the land, for which you shall cross the Jordan, and which you shall enter in order to possess19I call heaven and earth as witnesses this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your offspring may live20and so that you may love the Lord your God, and obey his voice, and cling to him, (for he is your life and the length of your days) and so that you may live in the land, about which the Lord swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that he would give it to them.
Luke
22saying, "For the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the leaders of the priests and the scribes, and be killed, and on the third day rise again.23Then he said to everyone: "If anyone is willing to come after me: let him deny himself, and take up his cross every day, and follow me24For whoever will have saved his life, will lose it. Yet whoever will have lost his life for my sake, will save it25For how does it benefit a man, if he were to gain the whole world, yet lose himself, or cause himself harm
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound invitations to reflect on the choices we make in our lives. The first reading from Deuteronomy presents Moses offering the Israelites a choice between life and death, urging them to follow God's commandments to ensure their survival and prosperity in the Promised Land. This pivotal moment in their journey serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience.
In the Gospel, Luke shares Jesus' teachings on the necessity of self-denial and the bearing of one's cross. Jesus emphasizes that true life is found not in self-preservation but in surrendering to God's will. This teaching challenges us to consider the cost of discipleship and the transformative power of prioritizing spiritual life over worldly gains.
Both readings converge on the theme of choice, guiding us to reflect on our daily decisions. Moses' admonition and Jesus' teachings call us to commit to a life of faith and trust in God's plan. Embracing this commitment involves letting go of our desires for a higher purpose, trusting that true fulfillment comes from following God. As we navigate life's challenges, may we choose to walk in God's ways, finding life in Him.