Commentary:
In this final chapter of the Book of Joshua we hear of the final act Joshua performs. After asking the people to give up all other Gods but God the Father, he tells them it will not be easy. He reminds them that if they are not careful they could fall from grace. He then establishes a covenant between God and the people and goes to his reset.
Psalm 16 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In these strophes we echo the sentiment expressed by Joshua when he said " As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
In this passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel we again see Jesus inviting everyone to come to him including this time the children. There are two connotations here. First we remember that the Lord said earlier in the Gospel that the Kingdom of God belonged to those who possessed the faith of a child. We also recognize that this passage supports the practice of infant Baptism. The children are given to Christ in that sacrament.
Reflection:
Today we hear Joshua conclude his term as leader of the tribes of Israel (and his life). His final appeal to the people is for a conversion of heart. He recognizes, as we all do, that conversion is not usually an event but rather a process. He exhorts the people once more to declare that God is foremost in their lives and they must renounce (in this case false gods and idols) those elements of their lives that might take precedence over their devotion to the Lord.
Joshua uses the instrument great leaders have always used, personal example. He does not ask the people to do something he himself is unwilling to do. He gives us the famous phrase; "" As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
We have seen this verse reproduced on media and it is widely familiar even if most people do not know where it came from or who said it. We wonder how many of those people have asked, as we do today, what it means? What does it mean to serve the Lord?
In Joshua’s speech it was clear that he was challenging the people to observe the laws and precepts laid down by the patriarchs of the people, by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and most specifically Moses. He told them it would not be easy ("You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God). Are we able to "serve the Lord" without faltering? Thank God for His Son. The Hebrews to whom Joshua spoke did not know Jesus, had not even heard the promise of the Messiah. Joshua told them that if they failed to life up to their vows, God would punish and kill them. We have the Christ who came to show us God’s mercy.
If we do our utmost in God’s service we are to him as little children who would never be punished by a loving Father for doing our best. The mercy of God is boundless and his love and tenderness toward us is endless. All we need to do is pray for guidance, look carefully at our own motives, and serve the Lord from our hearts as best we can. " As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
2The Picture used today is Exhortation of Joshua by Marc Chagall, 1931-39
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