Daily Readings - Sun May 26 2024
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?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."
Romans
14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"16The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,17and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Matthew
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our mission as His people. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the unique bond between God and the Israelites, highlighting the miracles and wonders He performed for them. Moses urges the people to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and to keep His commandments, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience. The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to life in the Spirit, where we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. Paul reminds us that our sufferings are not in vain, for they prepare us for future glorification with Christ. Finally, the Gospel from Matthew presents the Great Commission, where Jesus commands the disciples to baptize and teach all nations, promising His enduring presence.
These readings are interconnected, illustrating God’s plan from the Old Covenant to the New. Deuteronomy establishes the covenant, Romans discusses adoption through the Spirit, and Matthew shows the mission that flows from this covenant. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to share God’s love with the world.
In our daily lives, we are called to recognize God’s presence and guidance, to live as children of God with the Spirit as our guide, and to embrace our mission to share the faith. The moral lesson here is one of trust and action—trusting in God’s plan and living faithfully, knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater purpose. Let us strive to embody this mission, trusting in God’s presence and guidance as we go forth to spread His love.