Daily Readings - Thu Feb 18 2021
Deuteronomy
15"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.16If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.17But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,18I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,20loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Luke
22saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."23And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
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.