Daily Readings - Tue Aug 13 2019
Deuteronomy
1Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel:2"I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Jordan.'3The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said.4And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land.5The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you.6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.8The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Matthew
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"2He called a little child and had him stand among them.3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.10"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.12"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the call to humility and care for one another. In the first reading, Moses, nearing the end of his life, encourages the Israelites to trust in God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land without him. He reminds them that God will go before them, fight for them, and remain with them always. This passage emphasizes the importance of faith and courage in the face of uncertainty. Moses also commissions Joshua as their new leader, assuring him that God will be with him just as He was with Moses. The reading reminds us that leadership is not about self-reliance but about trusting in God’s presence and guidance.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the kingdom of heaven by using the example of a little child. He emphasizes that humility and openness, like that of a child, are essential for entering the kingdom. Jesus also warns against despising or neglecting the “little ones,” reminding us that each person, especially the vulnerable, is precious in God’s eyes. The parable of the lost sheep reinforces this message, showing that God’s love is not about the majority but about caring for each individual, even the one who has gone astray. This teaching challenges us to examine how we treat others, especially those who may seem insignificant or overlooked.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust and care. Moses trusts in God’s plan and encourages others to do the same, while Jesus teaches us to trust in God’s love and to care for one another, especially the vulnerable. In our daily lives, we are called to live with faith in God’s presence, even when we face challenges or uncertainties. We are also reminded to approach life with humility and to treat everyone with dignity and compassion. Let us ask ourselves: Do I trust in God’s plan for my life? Do I see the value and dignity in every person I encounter? May these readings inspire us to live with greater faith, humility, and love for one another.