Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 9, 2019
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4.32-40
32For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?33Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?34Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?35Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.36Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.37And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;38To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.39Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.40Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
Psalm 77
1I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.4Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?9Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.10And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.11I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.13Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?14Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.15Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.16The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.17The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.19Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Gospel: Matthew 16.24-28
24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, commitment, and the ultimate reward of following God's path. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God's unique presence in our lives, highlighted through His mighty deeds and the covenant with the Israelites. Moses urges the people to remember God's wonders and to adhere to His commandments, emphasizing that there is no other God besides Him. This passage serves as a call to trust in God's providence and to live according to His will.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus' teachings on discipleship, where He calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their crosses. This is not a call to misery, but to a life of purpose and meaning centered on God. Jesus warns against valuing worldly success over spiritual well-being, reminding us that our true treasure lies in heaven. He promises that those who lose their lives for His sake will find true life, and that faithfulness will be rewarded when He returns in glory.
These readings connect through their emphasis on commitment and trust in God. Both Moses and Jesus call us to prioritize our spiritual lives, trusting that God's ways, though sometimes challenging, lead to true fulfillment. In our daily lives, this means embracing selflessness, standing firm in our faith, and making sacrifices for the greater good. The moral lesson is clear: our ultimate reward comes from following God, not from earthly successes. Let us trust in His plan and willingly take up our crosses, knowing that true life is found in Him.