Daily Readings - Fri Aug 11 2017

First Reading - Deuteronomy 4.32-40

³²Inquire concerning the days of antiquity, which were before you, from the day when God created man upon the earth, from one end of heaven to another, if anything similar has ever occurred, or whether any such thing has ever been known³³that a people would hear the voice of God, speaking from the midst of fire, just as you have heard it, and live³⁴whether God has acted so as to enter and take for himself a nation from the midst of the nations, by means of tests, signs, and wonders, by means of fighting, and a strong hand, and an outstretched arm, and terrible visions, in accord with all the things which the Lord your God has accomplished for you in Egypt, in the sight of your eyes³⁵So may you know that the Lord himself is God, and there is no other beside him³⁶He has caused you to hear his voice from heaven, so that he might teach you. And he showed you his exceedingly great fire on earth, and you heard his words from the midst of the fire³⁷For he loved your fathers, and he chose their offspring after them. And he led you away from Egypt, advancing before you with his great power³⁸so as to wipe away, upon your arrival, nations, very great and stronger than you, and so as to lead you in, and to present to you their land as a possession, just as you discern in the present day³⁹Therefore, know on this day and consider in your heart, that the Lord himself is God in heaven above, and on earth below, and there is no other⁴⁰Keep his precepts and commandments, which I am teaching to you, so that it may be well with you, and with your sons after you, and so that you may remain for a long time upon the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.

Gospel - Matthew 16.24-28

Matthew

Chapter 16

²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples: "If anyone is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me²⁵For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life for my sake, shall find it²⁶For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet truly suffers damage to his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul²⁷For the Son of man will arrive in the glory of his Father, with his Angels. And then he will repay each one according to his works²⁸Amen I say to you, there are some among those standing here, who shall not taste death, until they see the Son of man arriving in his reign.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound invitations to faith and discipleship. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God's unique relationship with His people, highlighting the extraordinary events of their history, such as hearing God's voice from the fire and witnessing His mighty deeds in Egypt. Moses exhorts the Israelites to remember these marvels and to remain faithful to the one true God, who has shown them His power and love. The reading calls us to gratitude and fidelity, urging us to recognize God's presence in our lives and to follow His commandments. The Gospel takes us to a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, as He reveals the cost of discipleship to His followers. Jesus makes it clear that following Him requires self-denial and taking up the cross. He warns that seeking to save one's life on one's own terms leads to loss, while losing one's life for His sake leads to true life. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and to embrace a life of sacrifice and trust in God's plan. Jesus' words are not about misery but about freedom—the freedom to live for something greater than ourselves. Both readings remind us that faith is not passive but active. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are called to remember and obey; in Matthew, the disciples are called to deny themselves and follow. For us today, this means living with a deep awareness of God's presence and providence, even in difficult times. It means trusting that God's way is better than our own and being willing to let go of our attachments to worldly success. As we navigate our own challenges, may we find the courage to take up our crosses and follow Jesus, knowing that true life is found in Him.