Daily Readings - Sat Aug 07 2021
Deuteronomy
4"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.8You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.10"And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you--with great and good cities that you did not build,11and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant--and when you eat and are full,12then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.13It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.
Matthew
14And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him,15said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.16And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him."17And Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me."18And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"20He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the themes of faith, love, and trust in God. The passage from Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our being and passing His commandments to future generations. It serves as a reminder to remain faithful, especially during times of prosperity, lest we forget God's providence. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus' healing of an epileptic boy, highlighting the power of faith. Despite the disciples' inability to heal the boy, Jesus demonstrates that even a small amount of faith can lead to great outcomes.
Both readings, though from different contexts, share a common thread: the necessity of unwavering faith and trust in God. Deuteronomy, part of Moses' farewell address, urges the Israelites to remain faithful as they enter the Promised Land. Matthew's narrative, set during Jesus' ministry, teaches the disciples about the power of faith. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God must be rooted in love and sustained by faith, guiding our actions and decisions.
In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to nurture our faith and trust in God. Whether facing challenges or experiencing blessings, we are called to remember God's presence and provision. By cultivating faith, even as small as a mustard seed, we can overcome life's obstacles. Let us reflect on our commitment to God, ensuring our actions and hearts are aligned with His will, fostering a deep and abiding trust in His plan for our lives.