Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 11, 2023
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4.32-40
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.
Psalm 77
1Unto the end. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to the Lord with my voice, to God with my voice, and he attended to me2In the days of my tribulation, I sought God, with my hands opposite him in the night, and I was not deceived. My soul refused to be consoled3I was mindful of God, and I was delighted, and I was distressed, and my spirit fell away4My eyes anticipated the vigils. I was disturbed, and I did not speak5I considered the days of antiquity, and I held the years of eternity in my mind6And I meditated in the night with my heart, and I was distressed, and I examined my spirit7So then, will God reject for eternity? Will he not continue to allow himself to show favor8Or, will he cut off his mercy in the end, from generation to generation9And would God ever forget to be merciful? Or, would he, in his wrath, restrict his mercies10And I said, "Now I have begun. This change is from the right hand of the Most High.11I was mindful of the works of the Lord. For I will be mindful from the beginning of your wonders12and I will meditate on all your works. And I will take part in your intentions13Your way, O God, is in what is holy. Which God is great like our God14You are the God who performs miracles. You have made your virtue known among the peoples15With your arm, you have redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and of Joseph16The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you, and they were afraid, and the depths were stirred up17Great was the sound of the waters. The clouds uttered a voice. For your arrows also pass by18The voice of your thunder is like a wheel. Your flashes have illuminated the whole world. The earth has quaked and trembled19Your way is through the sea, and your paths are through many waters. And your traces will not be known20You have conducted your people like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron
Gospel: Matthew 16.24-28
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 readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, commitment, and the ultimate purpose of our lives. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites of the extraordinary ways God has revealed Himself to them—through mighty deeds, signs, and wonders. He calls them to remember that the Lord is the one true God, who has chosen them and led them out of slavery into a promised land. Moses urges them to keep God’s commandments and to trust in His providence, for their well-being and longevity in the land depend on it. This passage emphasizes the uniqueness of God’s relationship with His people and the importance of fidelity to His covenant.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this theme of fidelity to a deeper level. He tells His disciples that following Him requires self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and losing one’s life for His sake. Jesus is not speaking metaphorically; He is preparing them for the ultimate sacrifice He will make and the sacrifices they, too, will be called to endure. He warns that the pursuit of worldly gain, without regard for God, is empty and destructive. True life, Jesus says, is found in surrendering to His will and trusting in His plan. The passage ends with a reminder that some of those listening will see the glory of the kingdom before they die, a promise that blends the imminence of God’s reign with the call to perseverance.
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the importance of trusting in God’s plan and living in accordance with His will. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are called to remember God’s past actions and to obey His commandments. In Matthew, the disciples are called to embrace a life of self-sacrifice and faith in the face of uncertainty. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own; they are part of a larger story shaped by God’s love and providence. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, we are invited to imitate the Israelites’ trust in God’s covenant and the disciples’ willingness to follow Jesus, even when the path is difficult. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects our commitment to God? Are we willing to let go of our own desires and ambitions for the sake of His kingdom? May we find the courage to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him, trusting that true life is found in losing ourselves for His sake.