Daily Readings - Fri Aug 05 2022
Nahum
15Behold, over the mountains, the feet of the Evangelizer and the Announcer of peace. Judah, celebrate your festivals and keep your vows. For Belial will never again pass through you; he has completely passed away
2For the Lord has repaid the arrogance of Jacob, just like the arrogance of Israel. For the despoilers have scattered them, and they have corrupted their procreation
1Woe to the city of blood, filled with all manner of lies and violence. Crime shall not depart from you2the voice of the whip, and the voice of the turning wheels, and of the neighing horse, and the burning chariot, and the horsemen who ride3and of the flashing sword and the shining spear, and of a multitude executed and a grievous ruination. Neither is there an end to the dead bodies, and they will fall down upon their dead bodies6And I will cast abominations over you, and I will afflict you with abuse, and I will make an example of you7And this shall be: everyone who sees you, will recoil from you, and he will say: "Nineveh has been devastated." Who will shake his head over you? Where might I seek consolation for 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
The first reading from the Prophet Nahum paints a vivid picture of judgment and consequence. Nineveh, once a city spared by God’s mercy when Jonah preached repentance, has returned to its sinful ways. Nahum announces the fall of Nineveh, describing its corruption, violence, and bloodshed. The city, once given a chance to turn back to God, now faces devastation and ruin. This reading serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God’s call to repentance and living in defiance of His will. The prophet’s words are a call to reflect on our own lives and the choices we make, lest we suffer a similar fate.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the cost of following Him. He calls them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him, emphasizing that true life is found in losing oneself for His sake. This teaching is both a challenge and an invitation. It challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and attachments, recognizing that worldly gain is worthless compared to the value of our souls. At the same time, it invites us to embrace a life of self-sacrificial love, trusting that God’s plan for us is far greater than anything we could imagine.
Together, these readings remind us that our choices have consequences. Nahum’s prophecy warns us about the dangers of stubborn sin and the refusal to turn back to God, while Jesus’ words in the Gospel offer us a path of hope and transformation. As we navigate our daily lives, let us examine our hearts and actions. Are we living in a way that honors God, or are we allowing sin and selfishness to take root? Let us turn to the Lord with humility and courage, embracing the cross and following Jesus, for it is only in doing so that we will find true life and fulfillment.