Daily Readings - Sun May 30 2021
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?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.
Romans
14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.17Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Matthew
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between God and humanity, as well as our identity and mission as followers of Christ. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites of the unique and extraordinary way God has revealed Himself to them. He emphasizes that no other nation has experienced such direct and intimate encounters with the living God, who spoke from the midst of fire and delivered them with mighty deeds. This passage calls us to recognize the uniqueness of our God and the covenant He has established with us, urging us to remain faithful to His commandments.
The second reading from Romans deepens this understanding by revealing our identity as children of God. Through Baptism, we have received the Spirit of adoption, which allows us to call God "Abba, Father." This Spirit not only assures us of our divine filiation but also unites us to Christ, making us co-heirs of His glory. However, this privilege comes with the responsibility of sharing in Christ’s sufferings, for it is through suffering that we are purified and prepared for the glory that awaits us. The Gospel from Matthew then expands our vision further, as Jesus commissions His disciples—and through them, us—to go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Trinity and instructing them in His teachings. This Great Commission reminds us that our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but shared with the world.
These readings challenge us to live with a sense of mission and purpose. As children of God, we are called to trust in His presence and guidance, even in the face of doubt or uncertainty. Like the disciples, we may sometimes waver in our faith, but Jesus assures us, "I am with you always." This promise strengthens us to embrace our role as witnesses of God’s love and truth in the world. Let us, therefore, strive to live lives marked by faith, hope, and love, remembering that we are not only heirs of God’s promises but also ambassadors of His kingdom, called to bring light and salvation to all.