First reading Joshua 24:14-29
‘The Lord is a holy God, a jealous God’
Joshua said to all the people, ‘Fear the Lord and serve him perfectly and sincerely; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve, whether the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are now living. As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.’
The people answered, ‘We have no intention of deserting the Lord and serving other gods! Was it not the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and preserved us all along the way we travelled and among all the peoples through whom we journeyed? What is more, the Lord drove all those peoples out before us, as well as the Amorites who used to live in this country. We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’
Then Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve the Lord, because he is a holy God, he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you desert the Lord to follow alien gods he in turn will afflict and destroy you after the goodness he has shown you.’ The people answered Joshua, ‘No; it is the Lord we wish to serve.’ Then Joshua said to the people, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.’ They answered, ‘We are witnesses.’ ‘Then cast away the alien gods among you and give your hearts to the Lord the God of Israel!’ The people answered Joshua, ‘It is the Lord our God we choose to serve; it is his voice that we will obey.’
That day, Joshua made a covenant for the people; he laid down a statute and ordinance for them at Shechem. Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a great stone and set it up there, under the oak in the sanctuary of the Lord, and Joshua said to all the people, ‘See! This stone shall be a witness against us because it has heard all the words that the Lord has spoken to us: it shall be a witness against you in case you deny your God.’ Then Joshua sent the people away, and each returned to his own inheritance.
After these things Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died; he was a hundred and ten years old.
Responsorial Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-8,11
O Lord, it is You who are my portion.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in You.
I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.
O Lord, it is You who are my portion and cup;
it is You yourself who are my prize.’
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since He is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For You will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let Your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in Your presence,
at Your right hand happiness for ever.
Gospel Matthew 19:13-15
Do not stop the little children coming to me
People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ Then he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
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Let the children come to me
In the gospel, people bring their children to Jesus, but the disciples turn them away. Their dismissive attitude towards the children reflects their belief that they were insignificant and unworthy of Jesus’ attention. However, Jesus told them, “Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” For Jesus, each person matters and is worthy of His attention. In fact, He goes around showing love and compassion to all, regardless of their background or status.
Today, we are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Every person who crosses our path matters, and we must show them respect, care, and attention. This means that we should not view people through our own prejudices and judgments, but rather through the lens of Jesus. When we recognise the inherent value of each individual, it will inspire us to create a just and loving community, family, society, and world.
Reflective question:
How do I treat the least in our society and community?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
