Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 9, 2019
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4.32-40
32"For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of.33Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?34Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?35To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.36Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.37And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power,38driving out before you nations greater and mightier than yourselves, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is this day,39know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.40Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time."
Psalm 77
1I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.2In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.3When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah4You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.5I consider the days of old, the years long ago.6I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search:7"Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?8Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?9Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah10Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High."11I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.12I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.13Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?14You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.15You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah16When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.17The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.18The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.19Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.20You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Gospel: Matthew 16.24-28
24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.28Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
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.