Daily Readings - Sat Aug 19 2023
Joshua
14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.16And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;17For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:18And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.20If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.22And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.23Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.24And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.26And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.27And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.28So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.29And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
Matthew
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of commitment, faith, and humility. In the first reading from Joshua, we hear the people of Israel making a solemn promise to serve the Lord and reject the idols of their ancestors. Joshua challenges them to choose faithfully, warning them that serving the Lord is no trivial matter, for He is a jealous and holy God who demands sincerity. The people, recalling the wonders God has done for them, affirm their commitment to follow Him alone. This passage reminds us that faith is not a passive state but an active choice—one that requires us to let go of lesser loyalties and incline our hearts fully to God.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the humility and openness required to follow Him. When the disciples try to prevent children from approaching Jesus, He rebukes them, saying, "Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Jesus is not just expressing affection for children; He is using them as a model of the trust, simplicity, and dependence that should characterize our relationship with God. Just as children rely on their parents without question, we too must approach God with a childlike humility, recognizing our need for Him and surrendering our pride and self-reliance.
These readings are deeply connected. Joshua’s call to choose the Lord wholeheartedly and Jesus’ emphasis on childlike humility both point to the same truth: our relationship with God is not about half-hearted commitments or self-sufficiency. It is about surrendering our lives to Him in trust and simplicity. In our daily lives, this means letting go of distractions and idols—whether they be material comforts, pride, or fear—and instead choosing to follow God with sincerity. It also means cultivating humility, recognizing that we are dependent on God’s grace and mercy. As we navigate the challenges of life, may we remember that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in a childlike heart, open to His love and guidance. Let us pray for the courage to make a wholehearted choice for God and to live with the humility and trust of children.