Daily Readings - Tue Aug 12 2025
Deuteronomy
1Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel:2"I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Jordan.'3The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said.4And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land.5The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you.6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.8The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Matthew
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"2He called a little child and had him stand among them.3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.10"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.12"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the call to humility and care for one another. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses, nearing the end of his life, hands over leadership to Joshua. Moses assures the people that God will go before them, fight their battles, and remain faithful even when the challenges seem insurmountable. This passage reminds us that our strength comes not from ourselves but from the Lord, who is always with us, even in uncertain times. Moses’ words to Joshua—“Be strong and valiant”—are not just a personal encouragement but a reminder of God’s constant presence and guidance.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and the care we must show to the vulnerable. Using the image of a child, Jesus emphasizes that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like little ones—humble, trusting, and open to God’s grace. He also warns against despising or neglecting those who are small or weak, reminding us that each person is precious in God’s eyes. The parable of the lost sheep reinforces this message, showing that God’s love is not just for the many but also for the one who is lost. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to examine how we treat others, especially those who may feel overlooked or marginalized.
These readings call us to live with faith and compassion. Like Joshua, we are invited to trust in God’s presence and guidance, even when the path ahead seems difficult. Like the disciples, we are reminded to approach life with humility and to care for one another, especially those who are most in need. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when things seem uncertain? Do we treat others with the dignity and love they deserve? May we strive to live as people of faith, trusting in God’s plan and reflecting His love in our interactions with the world around us.