Daily Readings - Sat Aug 19 2023
Joshua
14"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.15And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."16Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods,17for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed.18And the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."19But Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good."21And the people said to Joshua, "No, but we will serve the LORD."22Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses."23He said, "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel."24And the people said to Joshua, "The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey."25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem.26And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.27And Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God."28So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.29After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being 110 years old.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of commitment, faith, and humility. In the first reading from Joshua, we hear the people of Israel making a solemn promise to serve the Lord and reject the idols of their ancestors. Joshua challenges them to choose faithfully, warning them that serving the Lord is no trivial matter, for He is a jealous and holy God who demands sincerity. The people, recalling the wonders God has done for them, affirm their commitment to follow Him alone. This passage reminds us that faith is not a passive state but an active choice—one that requires us to let go of lesser loyalties and incline our hearts fully to God.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the humility and openness required to follow Him. When the disciples try to prevent children from approaching Jesus, He rebukes them, saying, "Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Jesus is not just expressing affection for children; He is using them as a model of the trust, simplicity, and dependence that should characterize our relationship with God. Just as children rely on their parents without question, we too must approach God with a childlike humility, recognizing our need for Him and surrendering our pride and self-reliance.
These readings are deeply connected. Joshua’s call to choose the Lord wholeheartedly and Jesus’ emphasis on childlike humility both point to the same truth: our relationship with God is not about half-hearted commitments or self-sufficiency. It is about surrendering our lives to Him in trust and simplicity. In our daily lives, this means letting go of distractions and idols—whether they be material comforts, pride, or fear—and instead choosing to follow God with sincerity. It also means cultivating humility, recognizing that we are dependent on God’s grace and mercy. As we navigate the challenges of life, may we remember that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in a childlike heart, open to His love and guidance. Let us pray for the courage to make a wholehearted choice for God and to live with the humility and trust of children.