Daily Readings - Sat Aug 14 2021
Joshua
14"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.15But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."16Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!17It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.18And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God."19Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you."21But the people said to Joshua, "No! We will serve the LORD."22Then Joshua said, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.Yes, we are witnesses," they replied.23"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."24And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."25On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he drew up for them decrees and laws.26And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD.27"See!" he said to all the people. "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God."28Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.29After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.
Matthew
13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of commitment, humility, and the sincerity of our relationship with God. The first reading from Joshua presents a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. Having entered the Promised Land, Joshua calls the people to renew their covenant with God. He challenges them to make a conscious choice to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, rejecting the idols of their past. Joshua’s words are both a warning and an invitation: to recognize the holiness and jealousy of God, who demands our undivided loyalty. The people, moved by the memory of God’s faithfulness, commit themselves to serve the Lord, and Joshua seals this covenant with a stone of witness.
In the Gospel, we encounter a different kind of moment. Jesus is approached by parents seeking his blessing for their children. While the disciples try to dismiss them, Jesus insists that the children come to him. He declares that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like these little ones—humble, trusting, and unencumbered by the complexities of adulthood. This scene reminds us that our relationship with God is not about power or status but about simplicity, openness, and a childlike dependence on Him.
These readings are connected by the theme of wholehearted commitment to God. Joshua calls the people to reject idols and serve the Lord sincerely, while Jesus teaches us that humility and childlike faith are essential for entering the kingdom. Together, they invite us to examine our own hearts and lives. Are we allowing anything—whether it be pride, distractions, or worldly attachments—to come between us and God? Do we approach Him with the humility and trust of a child?
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What are the “idols” in our lives that compete for our allegiance? How can we, like Joshua and the Israelites, renew our commitment to serve the Lord with sincerity? And how can we cultivate the humility and openness of children in our relationship with God? May we, like the people at Shechem, choose today whom we will serve, and may we, like the children in the Gospel, find the kingdom of heaven in our midst.