Daily Readings - Thu Aug 17 2023
Joshua
7The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.8And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"9And Joshua said to the people of Israel, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God."10And Joshua said, "Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.11Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan.13And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap."14So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,15and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),16the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.17Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
Matthew
21Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.23"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.26So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.32Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
1Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and forgiveness. The first reading from Joshua recounts the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, a pivotal moment in Israel's history. As Joshua leads the people, the priests carry the ark of the covenant into the river, and God parts the waters, allowing the Israelites to pass safely. This event mirrors the parting of the Red Sea and reinforces God's presence and power in their journey. It is a testament to the faith required to follow God's plan, even when the path seems impossible.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus teaching on forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant. Peter's question about the extent of forgiveness is met with Jesus' emphasis on limitless mercy. The parable illustrates the consequences of not extending forgiveness, highlighting the hypocrisy of seeking mercy while withholding it from others. This teaching underscores the reciprocal nature of God's mercy and our responsibility to share it with others.
Both readings connect through themes of trust and action. Joshua's story shows the Israelites trusting God to part the waters, while the Gospel calls us to trust in God's mercy and extend that mercy to others. In our daily lives, we face moments requiring trust, whether in uncertain times or in relationships. Forgiveness, like the parting of the Jordan, can seem daunting, but it is through letting go of grudges that we find freedom and healing. The moral lesson is clear: we must forgive as we have been forgiven, reflecting God's mercy in our actions. Let us embrace this call to trust and forgive, allowing God's grace to flow through us, just as the Jordan's waters parted for His people.