Daily Readings - Sat Aug 16 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of choice and humility. The first reading from Joshua presents a pivotal moment for the Israelites as Joshua calls them to decide whom they will serve—either the God of their ancestors or the idols of the surrounding cultures. Joshua makes it clear that serving the Lord requires sincerity and commitment, warning them that God will not tolerate wickedness. The people affirm their loyalty to the Lord, and Joshua seals this commitment with a covenant, using a stone as a witness to their promise.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the humility and innocence required to enter the kingdom of heaven. When the disciples try to prevent children from approaching Jesus, he insists that the children come to him, emphasizing that the kingdom belongs to those who are like them. This teaches us that humility and a childlike trust in God are essential for spiritual growth.
These readings remind us that our faith requires intentional choices and a willingness to let go of worldly distractions. Just as Joshua called the Israelites to reject idols, we must examine our lives and turn away from modern "idols" that pull us from God. Like the children in the Gospel, we are called to approach God with humility and openness, trusting in His providence. May we, like Joshua and the people, commit ourselves to serving the Lord with sincere hearts, and may we embrace the humility that brings us closer to His kingdom.