Next in Line

~~~ Memorial of Saint Claire, Virgin ~~~

~~~ Deuternomy 31:1-8 ~~~ (Psalm) 

~~~Deuternomy 32:3-4AB, 7, 8, 9 AND 12 ~~~

~~~ MT 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 ~~~

Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel

said to him, “Be brave and steadfast,

for you must bring this people into the land...

Nearing his final days, Moses passes on 

the legacy of leading the chosen people.

Joshua is called by Moses,

commissioned to take the lead position.

Joshua represents the younger generation.

It is time for them to take over.

Joshua is told to be brave and steadfast.

He is told to remember that God has 

and will continue to protect the people.

Sitting around the dinner table we often share stories of past times.

The parents retelling stories of the birth of the child...

the grandfather sharing his stories of first love..

battles fought...lives lost for love of country.

The stories we pass on from one generation to the next

 bring families closer together.

These stories affirm how God has cared for the family.

Joshua has seen how God has been with Moses

 all the years of his life.

He knows the story of the baby floating in the basket.

He knows the story of Moses being saved by the Pharaoh's daughter.

Now it is his place to follow the path given to Moses by God.

Whoever becomes humble like this child

is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

Joshua must become humble, like a child,

so that he can lead the people.

Joshua is not called to lead the people on a new journey.

Joshua is called because he represents the younger generation.

Joshua was too learn from Moses.

Joshua was to be humble, accepting his call to listen to the Lord.

Today we are given a similar invitation...

to follow the Lord like a child

with humility and love.

Saint Claire gives a beautiful example today.

She left her wealthy life of luxury

to follow the call of God.

She founded the religious order of the "Poor Ladies".

The order takes the vow of poverty and lives a life committed to prayer.

Saint Claire, pray for us.

We are Blessed to be more like little children...

for they shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

~~~Peace~~~

Who Does Your Household Serve?

~~~ Joshua 24:14-29 ~~~ Psalm 16 ~~~ Matthew 19:13-15 ~~~

 

As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

 

Joshua is asking the people to make a commitment.

Either you serve the Lord with me and my household

 or you serve the god of your fathers

or the god of the Amorites.

But you must chose.

You may not meander about with no allegiance to a god.

He was forcing them to think about what they wanted to believe.

They needed to make a personal choice.

 

Joshua proudly declares his decision.

 

The people quickly reject the idea of serving other gods.

They remember historically how the Lord had led them,

protected them, and provided for them.

For it was the LORD, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery. 

 

Collectively the people announce their service to the God.
Joshua warns them that they must now put away all other gods.

 

 

They must now turn their hearts to the Lord also.
Just speaking the words of serving the Lord is not sufficient.
Words can be spoken without coming from the heart.

These words were spoken amidst the crowd;
they could be influenced by those standing beside them. 

 

 Joshua made a covenant with the people that day...
... he recorded in the book of the law of God.

...he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak...

Joshua said to all the people, "This stone shall be our witness,
for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us..." 

 

Joshua placed the stone as a visible sign of their
commitment that day to the Lord. 

 

Have you made the choice for your house to serve the Lord?
Have you placed a visible sign
somewhere in your house as a reminder
of your commitment to the Lord? 

Jesus blesses the little children...
for me every time I see a little child it is a reminder
of the goodness of the Lord.
It reminds me that there truly is a God and that heaven is real.

Join the people of Joshua and claim your household in service to the Lord.
Make this promise with your words and with your heart. 

Blessings come in the total package...
a household dedicated to serving the Lord.