Daily Readings - Tue Aug 13 2019
Deuteronomy
1So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel.2And he said to them, "I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not go over this Jordan.'3The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the LORD has spoken.4And the LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them.5And the LORD will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you.6Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.8It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Matthew
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?13And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.14So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the call to humility and care for one another. In the first reading, Moses, nearing the end of his life, encourages the Israelites to trust in God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land without him. He reminds them that God will go before them, fight for them, and remain with them always. This passage emphasizes the importance of faith and courage in the face of uncertainty. Moses also commissions Joshua as their new leader, assuring him that God will be with him just as He was with Moses. The reading reminds us that leadership is not about self-reliance but about trusting in God’s presence and guidance.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the kingdom of heaven by using the example of a little child. He emphasizes that humility and openness, like that of a child, are essential for entering the kingdom. Jesus also warns against despising or neglecting the “little ones,” reminding us that each person, especially the vulnerable, is precious in God’s eyes. The parable of the lost sheep reinforces this message, showing that God’s love is not about the majority but about caring for each individual, even the one who has gone astray. This teaching challenges us to examine how we treat others, especially those who may seem insignificant or overlooked.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust and care. Moses trusts in God’s plan and encourages others to do the same, while Jesus teaches us to trust in God’s love and to care for one another, especially the vulnerable. In our daily lives, we are called to live with faith in God’s presence, even when we face challenges or uncertainties. We are also reminded to approach life with humility and to treat everyone with dignity and compassion. Let us ask ourselves: Do I trust in God’s plan for my life? Do I see the value and dignity in every person I encounter? May these readings inspire us to live with greater faith, humility, and love for one another.