Daily Readings - Fri Aug 11 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, commitment, and the ultimate purpose of our lives. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites of the extraordinary ways God has revealed Himself to them—through mighty deeds, signs, and wonders. He calls them to remember that the Lord is the one true God, who has chosen them and led them out of slavery into a promised land. Moses urges them to keep God’s commandments and to trust in His providence, for their well-being and longevity in the land depend on it. This passage emphasizes the uniqueness of God’s relationship with His people and the importance of fidelity to His covenant.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this theme of fidelity to a deeper level. He tells His disciples that following Him requires self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and losing one’s life for His sake. Jesus is not speaking metaphorically; He is preparing them for the ultimate sacrifice He will make and the sacrifices they, too, will be called to endure. He warns that the pursuit of worldly gain, without regard for God, is empty and destructive. True life, Jesus says, is found in surrendering to His will and trusting in His plan. The passage ends with a reminder that some of those listening will see the glory of the kingdom before they die, a promise that blends the imminence of God’s reign with the call to perseverance.
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the importance of trusting in God’s plan and living in accordance with His will. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are called to remember God’s past actions and to obey His commandments. In Matthew, the disciples are called to embrace a life of self-sacrifice and faith in the face of uncertainty. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own; they are part of a larger story shaped by God’s love and providence. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, we are invited to imitate the Israelites’ trust in God’s covenant and the disciples’ willingness to follow Jesus, even when the path is difficult. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects our commitment to God? Are we willing to let go of our own desires and ambitions for the sake of His kingdom? May we find the courage to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him, trusting that true life is found in losing ourselves for His sake.