Daily Readings - Fri Aug 11 2017
Deuteronomy
32Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created man on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of?33Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived?34Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?35You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.36From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.37Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,38to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.39Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.40Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.
Matthew
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.28I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound invitations to faith and discipleship. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God's unique relationship with His people, highlighting the extraordinary events of their history, such as hearing God's voice from the fire and witnessing His mighty deeds in Egypt. Moses exhorts the Israelites to remember these marvels and to remain faithful to the one true God, who has shown them His power and love. The reading calls us to gratitude and fidelity, urging us to recognize God's presence in our lives and to follow His commandments.
The Gospel takes us to a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, as He reveals the cost of discipleship to His followers. Jesus makes it clear that following Him requires self-denial and taking up the cross. He warns that seeking to save one's life on one's own terms leads to loss, while losing one's life for His sake leads to true life. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and to embrace a life of sacrifice and trust in God's plan. Jesus' words are not about misery but about freedom—the freedom to live for something greater than ourselves.
Both readings remind us that faith is not passive but active. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are called to remember and obey; in Matthew, the disciples are called to deny themselves and follow. For us today, this means living with a deep awareness of God's presence and providence, even in difficult times. It means trusting that God's way is better than our own and being willing to let go of our attachments to worldly success. As we navigate our own challenges, may we find the courage to take up our crosses and follow Jesus, knowing that true life is found in Him.