Daily Readings - Wed Aug 16 2023
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 powerful lessons about leadership, transition, and the importance of community. The first reading from Deuteronomy brings us to the end of Moses’ journey. Standing on Mount Nebo, Moses gazes out at the Promised Land, a land he will not enter. Despite his deep connection to God and his people, Moses’ life comes to an end, and he is buried in an unmarked grave. Yet, even in death, Moses’ legacy endures. The text reminds us that Joshua, filled with the spirit of wisdom, takes up the mantle of leadership, guiding the people forward. This passage teaches us that while individual journeys may end, God’s plan continues through others. It invites us to trust in God’s providence and to embrace the transitions in our own lives.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the dynamics of community life. Jesus teaches us how to address conflicts with one another. He emphasizes the importance of approaching disputes with love and humility—first speaking privately, then involving others, and finally bringing the matter to the Church. This process reflects Jesus’ desire for unity and reconciliation among his followers. The passage also highlights the power of prayer in community. When two or three gather in Jesus’ name, he is present among them, and their united prayers are heard in heaven. This reminds us that our relationships with one another are not just human endeavors but are deeply spiritual, and that together, we can accomplish great things when we seek God’s will.
Both readings call us to reflect on our roles within our communities. Like Moses, we may not see the fullness of what God is doing, but we are called to faithfulness in our own time. Like the early followers of Jesus, we are invited to approach conflicts with humility and to trust in the power of prayer. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, let us remember that we are part of a larger story. May we lead with wisdom, seek reconciliation with one another, and pray with confidence, knowing that God is always with us.