Daily Readings - Fri Aug 09 2019
Deuteronomy
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.
Matthew
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.