Daily Readings - Thu Mar 07 2019
Deuteronomy
15See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;16In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.17But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;18I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Luke
22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with profound choices that shape our spiritual journey. The first reading from Deuteronomy 30:15-20 sets before us a choice between life and death, blessing and curse. Moses exhorts the people to choose life by adhering to God's commandments, promising prosperity and blessings if they do so, but warning of peril if they turn away. This passage emphasizes the importance of deliberate commitment to God's will.
The Gospel from Luke 9:22-25 shifts the focus to Jesus, who reveals the necessity of self-denial and taking up one's cross to follow Him. He underscores that true life is found in losing oneself for His sake, contrasting the fleeting gains of the world with the eternal salvation offered through Him. This choice is not merely about adhering to laws but about embracing a life transformed by faith and sacrifice.
Both readings converge on the theme of choice, each calling us to a commitment that leads to life. In Deuteronomy, it is the choice to obey God's laws, while in Luke, it is the choice to follow Jesus through self-denial. These choices are not abstract but lived out daily in our decisions and actions. As we navigate life's challenges, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when the path is difficult. Let us choose to follow Him, embracing the cross with faith, knowing that true life and fulfillment are found in Him.