Daily Readings - Sat Aug 07 2021
Deuteronomy
4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.6These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.10When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you-a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build,11houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant-then when you eat and are satisfied,12be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.13Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
Matthew
14When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.15"Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.16I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."17"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the themes of faith, love, and trust in God. The passage from Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our being and passing His commandments to future generations. It serves as a reminder to remain faithful, especially during times of prosperity, lest we forget God's providence. The Gospel from Matthew illustrates Jesus' healing of an epileptic boy, highlighting the power of faith. Despite the disciples' inability to heal the boy, Jesus demonstrates that even a small amount of faith can lead to great outcomes.
Both readings, though from different contexts, share a common thread: the necessity of unwavering faith and trust in God. Deuteronomy, part of Moses' farewell address, urges the Israelites to remain faithful as they enter the Promised Land. Matthew's narrative, set during Jesus' ministry, teaches the disciples about the power of faith. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God must be rooted in love and sustained by faith, guiding our actions and decisions.
In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to nurture our faith and trust in God. Whether facing challenges or experiencing blessings, we are called to remember God's presence and provision. By cultivating faith, even as small as a mustard seed, we can overcome life's obstacles. Let us reflect on our commitment to God, ensuring our actions and hearts are aligned with His will, fostering a deep and abiding trust in His plan for our lives.