Daily Readings - Sun Mar 06 2022
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
**Sermon: Trusting God in All Circumstances**
Today’s readings guide us through a journey of trust and faith in God, each from a unique perspective. In Deuteronomy, we witness the Israelites expressing gratitude for the land they received, remembering their journey from Egypt and offering first fruits as a sign of trust in God’s providence. This act is not just a ritual but a profound expression of faith, acknowledging God’s deliverance and provision.
In Romans, Paul’s words remind us that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, emphasizing that this gift is universal—available to all, regardless of background. The passage underscores the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord and trusting in His resurrection, which unites us beyond our differences. This trust in God’s plan of salvation is central to our Christian identity.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus facing temptations in the wilderness. Each response to the devil’s challenges is rooted in Scripture, demonstrating Jesus’ unwavering trust in God’s word and plan. This trust is not passive; it is active, guiding His decisions and resistance to temptation, showing us that true strength lies in relying on God.
These readings connect through the theme of trust. Deuteronomy shows trust through gratitude and remembrance, Romans through faith in salvation, and Luke through resisting temptation. In our daily lives, we face similar challenges—struggles, decisions, and uncertainties. The readings encourage us to trust God in all circumstances, whether in times of plenty or hardship.
As we reflect, let us remember that trusting God leads to true freedom and fulfillment. It is through this trust that we find the strength to resist life’s temptations and remain faithful. May we, like Jesus, rely on God’s word and trust in His plan, knowing that He guides us towards eternal life.