Daily Readings - Sun May 26 2024
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
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our mission as His people. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the unique bond between God and the Israelites, highlighting the miracles and wonders He performed for them. Moses urges the people to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and to keep His commandments, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience. The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to life in the Spirit, where we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. Paul reminds us that our sufferings are not in vain, for they prepare us for future glorification with Christ. Finally, the Gospel from Matthew presents the Great Commission, where Jesus commands the disciples to baptize and teach all nations, promising His enduring presence.
These readings are interconnected, illustrating God’s plan from the Old Covenant to the New. Deuteronomy establishes the covenant, Romans discusses adoption through the Spirit, and Matthew shows the mission that flows from this covenant. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to share God’s love with the world.
In our daily lives, we are called to recognize God’s presence and guidance, to live as children of God with the Spirit as our guide, and to embrace our mission to share the faith. The moral lesson here is one of trust and action—trusting in God’s plan and living faithfully, knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater purpose. Let us strive to embody this mission, trusting in God’s presence and guidance as we go forth to spread His love.