19th Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 16th August 2025

In the final chapter of the book of Joshua, we encounter a pivotal moment when Joshua, now aged and at the end of his leadership, gathers the tribes at Shechem and places before them a choice: to serve the Lord who delivered them from slavery, or to turn back to the foreign gods of their ancestors. With clarity and conviction, he declares, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” Uoshua 24:15).Joshua’s challenge is clear: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” This choice is an active and conscious decision to align one’s life with God’s covenant.

Interestingly, in Matthew chapter 19, parents are bringing children to Jesus so He can lay hands on them and pray. The disciples try to shoo them away, thinking Jesus has a more urgent call to accomplish. But Jesus rebukes them and says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Here, in contrast to the solemn covenant moment in Joshua, we see a tender glimpse of the heart of the kingdom of God. Where Joshua calls for a deliberate and reasoned commitment, Jesus points to the proper attitude to approach God-like children: open, trusting, and humble.Joshua emphasises the decision to serve God, a call to take responsibility for one’s faith.Jesus highlights the disposition of childlike faith, trusting and unpretentious.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, grant that my mind be attentive and my heart be docile to Your grace.