Daily Readings - Wed Aug 16 2023
Deuteronomy
1And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,2And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,3And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.4And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.6And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.7And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.8And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.9And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.10And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,11In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,12And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
Matthew
15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about leadership, transition, and the importance of community. The first reading from Deuteronomy brings us to the end of Moses’ journey. Standing on Mount Nebo, Moses gazes out at the Promised Land, a land he will not enter. Despite his deep connection to God and his people, Moses’ life comes to an end, and he is buried in an unmarked grave. Yet, even in death, Moses’ legacy endures. The text reminds us that Joshua, filled with the spirit of wisdom, takes up the mantle of leadership, guiding the people forward. This passage teaches us that while individual journeys may end, God’s plan continues through others. It invites us to trust in God’s providence and to embrace the transitions in our own lives.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the dynamics of community life. Jesus teaches us how to address conflicts with one another. He emphasizes the importance of approaching disputes with love and humility—first speaking privately, then involving others, and finally bringing the matter to the Church. This process reflects Jesus’ desire for unity and reconciliation among his followers. The passage also highlights the power of prayer in community. When two or three gather in Jesus’ name, he is present among them, and their united prayers are heard in heaven. This reminds us that our relationships with one another are not just human endeavors but are deeply spiritual, and that together, we can accomplish great things when we seek God’s will.
Both readings call us to reflect on our roles within our communities. Like Moses, we may not see the fullness of what God is doing, but we are called to faithfulness in our own time. Like the early followers of Jesus, we are invited to approach conflicts with humility and to trust in the power of prayer. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, let us remember that we are part of a larger story. May we lead with wisdom, seek reconciliation with one another, and pray with confidence, knowing that God is always with us.