Daily Readings - Sun Mar 10 2019
Deuteronomy
4The priest shall take the basket from your hands and set it down in front of the altar of the LORD your God.5Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous.6But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor.7Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression.8So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders.9He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey;10and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him.
Romans
8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Luke
1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.7So if you worship me, it will all be yours."8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.10For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"12Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through themes of gratitude, faith, and temptation, each offering insights into our relationship with God. The first reading from Deuteronomy recounts the Israelites' history, from their humble beginnings in Egypt to their deliverance and the gift of the Promised Land. This passage is part of Moses' farewell speech, urging the people to remember God's providence and to express gratitude through the offering of first fruits. It reminds us to reflect on our own journey, acknowledging God's hand in our lives.
The second reading from Romans emphasizes the universality of salvation. Paul highlights that faith is not just an inward belief but also a public confession. He underscores that all, regardless of background, can call upon the Lord and be saved. This teaching challenges us to share our faith openly and to embrace the unity Christ brings, transcending any divisions.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus facing temptation in the wilderness. Jesus, though hungry and vulnerable, resists the devil's offers by relying on Scripture. This narrative illustrates the essence of faith—trusting God's word above worldly allurements. It serves as a model for us to remain steadfast in our faith, especially during trials.
These readings intertwine to remind us that faith is both personal and communal. Like the Israelites, we should gratefully remember God's blessings. Like Paul, we must confess our faith courageously. And like Jesus, we must trust God's word in the face of temptation. May we apply these lessons daily, nurturing a faith that is thankful, courageous, and unwavering, guiding us to live as true disciples of Christ.