Daily Readings - Fri Aug 18 2023
Joshua
1Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God.2And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.3Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac.4And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.5And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.6"'Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea.7And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time.8Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you.9Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you,10but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand.11And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand.12And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.13I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.'
Matthew
3And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?"4He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,5and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh'?6So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."7They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?"8He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.9And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery."10The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry."11But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.12For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful reminders of God's covenant and the call to fidelity. Joshua gathers the Israelites at Shechem, recounting their history from Abraham to their present, emphasizing God's faithfulness in leading them to the Promised Land. This historical account serves as a foundation for renewing their covenant with God, urging them to serve Him faithfully. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus discusses the sacredness of marriage, referencing Genesis to highlight that marriage is a union between a man and woman, becoming one flesh. He clarifies that divorce was permitted due to human hardness but wasn't God's original intent, underscoring the permanence of marriage.
Both readings share a common theme of fidelity and covenant. Joshua's recounting of Israel's history and Jesus' teaching on marriage both emphasize commitment and faithfulness. Joshua's call to serve God faithfully mirrors Jesus' call to uphold the sanctity of marriage, reflecting God's original plan. This connection highlights the importance of honoring commitments, whether in our relationship with God or with each other.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are reminded to approach our relationships and commitments with dedication and perseverance. Just as the Israelites were called to remain faithful to God, we too are called to stay true to our promises, trusting in God's plan even when challenges arise. This fidelity not only strengthens our relationships but also deepens our trust in God's providence. Let us strive to live with commitment and faithfulness, reflecting God's enduring love in all aspects of our lives.