Daily Readings - Wed Aug 11 2021
Deuteronomy
1Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan,2all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea,3the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.4And the LORD said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there."5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD,6and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day.7Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.8And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.9And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.10And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,11none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land,12and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Matthew
15"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Deuteronomy brings us to the end of Moses' life, where he is shown the Promised Land but is not permitted to enter it. This moment, while poignant, underscores Moses' unwavering faith and trust in God's plan. Despite his deep connection with the people and his leadership, Moses accepts God's will, demonstrating humility and obedience. His death marks the end of an era, yet it also signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, highlighting the importance of transitions in faith.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to community dynamics, offering a structured approach to conflict resolution. Jesus teaches us to address disputes privately first, then with witnesses, and finally through the Church. This process emphasizes the value of unity and reconciliation within the community. The reading also reminds us of the power of collective prayer, where even a few gathered in Jesus' name can move mountains, illustrating the strength found in united faith.
Both readings, while distinct, weave together themes of faith and community. Moses' trust in God's plan, despite not entering the Promised Land, mirrors the faith we need in our own lives, even when God's path is unclear. The Gospel's conflict resolution process calls us to actively maintain harmony, reflecting our faith in action. In our daily lives, we are reminded to trust God's plan and to work towards resolving conflicts with love and understanding. Let us strive to live with the faith of Moses and the unity taught by Jesus, building a community where God's presence is palpable.