Daily Readings - Tue Aug 12 2025
Deuteronomy
1So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel.2And he said to them, "I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not go over this Jordan.'3The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the LORD has spoken.4And the LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them.5And the LORD will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you.6Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.8It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Matthew
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?13And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.14So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the call to humility and care for one another. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses, nearing the end of his life, hands over leadership to Joshua. Moses assures the people that God will go before them, fight their battles, and remain faithful even when the challenges seem insurmountable. This passage reminds us that our strength comes not from ourselves but from the Lord, who is always with us, even in uncertain times. Moses’ words to Joshua—“Be strong and valiant”—are not just a personal encouragement but a reminder of God’s constant presence and guidance.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and the care we must show to the vulnerable. Using the image of a child, Jesus emphasizes that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like little ones—humble, trusting, and open to God’s grace. He also warns against despising or neglecting those who are small or weak, reminding us that each person is precious in God’s eyes. The parable of the lost sheep reinforces this message, showing that God’s love is not just for the many but also for the one who is lost. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to examine how we treat others, especially those who may feel overlooked or marginalized.
These readings call us to live with faith and compassion. Like Joshua, we are invited to trust in God’s presence and guidance, even when the path ahead seems difficult. Like the disciples, we are reminded to approach life with humility and to care for one another, especially those who are most in need. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when things seem uncertain? Do we treat others with the dignity and love they deserve? May we strive to live as people of faith, trusting in God’s plan and reflecting His love in our interactions with the world around us.