Daily Readings - Fri Aug 11 2023
Deuteronomy
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."
Matthew
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, commitment, and the ultimate purpose of our lives. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites of the extraordinary ways God has revealed Himself to them—through mighty deeds, signs, and wonders. He calls them to remember that the Lord is the one true God, who has chosen them and led them out of slavery into a promised land. Moses urges them to keep God’s commandments and to trust in His providence, for their well-being and longevity in the land depend on it. This passage emphasizes the uniqueness of God’s relationship with His people and the importance of fidelity to His covenant.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this theme of fidelity to a deeper level. He tells His disciples that following Him requires self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and losing one’s life for His sake. Jesus is not speaking metaphorically; He is preparing them for the ultimate sacrifice He will make and the sacrifices they, too, will be called to endure. He warns that the pursuit of worldly gain, without regard for God, is empty and destructive. True life, Jesus says, is found in surrendering to His will and trusting in His plan. The passage ends with a reminder that some of those listening will see the glory of the kingdom before they die, a promise that blends the imminence of God’s reign with the call to perseverance.
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the importance of trusting in God’s plan and living in accordance with His will. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are called to remember God’s past actions and to obey His commandments. In Matthew, the disciples are called to embrace a life of self-sacrifice and faith in the face of uncertainty. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own; they are part of a larger story shaped by God’s love and providence. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, we are invited to imitate the Israelites’ trust in God’s covenant and the disciples’ willingness to follow Jesus, even when the path is difficult. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects our commitment to God? Are we willing to let go of our own desires and ambitions for the sake of His kingdom? May we find the courage to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him, trusting that true life is found in losing ourselves for His sake.