Daily Readings - Wed Aug 13 2025
Deuteronomy
1Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan,2all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea,3the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.4And the LORD said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there."5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD,6and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day.7Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.8And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.9And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.10And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,11none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land,12and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Matthew
15"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two significant moments that guide us in understanding leadership, community, and our relationship with God. The first reading from Deuteronomy brings us to the end of Moses' journey, where he is shown the Promised Land but does not enter it. This moment underscores the theme of transition and trust in God's plan, as Moses passes the mantle to Joshua. The second reading from Matthew offers Jesus' teachings on conflict resolution, emphasizing a structured approach to handling sins against one another, from private correction to involving the community, and finally, prayerful agreement.
The context of Deuteronomy is one of completion and new beginnings, as Moses' death marks the end of an era, while Joshua prepares to lead the Israelites into Canaan. In Matthew, Jesus addresses the dynamics of community life, highlighting the importance of unity and structured conflict resolution. Both readings connect through themes of leadership and community, reminding us that our actions and decisions within these contexts have divine implications.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to approach conflicts with love and structure, seeking resolution that honors God. We must trust in His plan, even during transitions, and recognize the power of prayer and community. The moral lesson here is the balance between justice and mercy, and the strength found in united prayer. As we navigate our own journeys, may we embrace these teachings, fostering unity and trust in God's providence.