Daily Readings - Thu Feb 18 2021
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 encounter profound invitations to reflect on the choices we make in our lives. The first reading from Deuteronomy presents Moses offering the Israelites a choice between life and death, urging them to follow God's commandments to ensure their survival and prosperity in the Promised Land. This pivotal moment in their journey serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience.
In the Gospel, Luke shares Jesus' teachings on the necessity of self-denial and the bearing of one's cross. Jesus emphasizes that true life is found not in self-preservation but in surrendering to God's will. This teaching challenges us to consider the cost of discipleship and the transformative power of prioritizing spiritual life over worldly gains.
Both readings converge on the theme of choice, guiding us to reflect on our daily decisions. Moses' admonition and Jesus' teachings call us to commit to a life of faith and trust in God's plan. Embracing this commitment involves letting go of our desires for a higher purpose, trusting that true fulfillment comes from following God. As we navigate life's challenges, may we choose to walk in God's ways, finding life in Him.