Daily Readings - Sun Feb 19 2023

¹The Lord spoke to Moses, saying²Speak to the entire assembly of the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy¹⁷You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but reprove him openly, lest you have sin over him¹⁸Do not seek revenge, neither should you be mindful of the injury of your fellow citizens. You shall love your friend as yourself. I am the Lord

1 Corinthians

Chapter 3

¹⁶Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives within you¹⁷But if anyone violates the Temple of God, God will destroy him. For the Temple of God is holy, and you are that Temple¹⁸Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may be truly wise¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. And so it has been written: "I will catch the wise in their own astuteness.²⁰And again: "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.²¹And so, let no one glory in men²²For all is yours: whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the future. Yes, all is yours²³But you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s

Matthew

Chapter 5

³⁸You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.³⁹But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also⁴⁰And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also⁴¹And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps⁴²Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him⁴³You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.⁴⁴But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you⁴⁵In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way⁴⁸Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of holiness, love, and unity. The first reading from Leviticus reminds us that holiness is not just about rituals but about how we treat others. It calls us to avoid hatred and revenge, instead embracing love for our neighbors. This passage, part of the Holiness Code, emphasizes moral behavior and community respect, urging us to live as God’s holy people. The second reading from Corinthians shifts our focus to our identity as temples of God. It warns against worldly wisdom and pride, encouraging humility and unity. Paul reminds us that all things belong to us, but we belong to Christ, highlighting the importance of living in a way that reflects this truth. This reading addresses the early church’s struggles with division and worldly influences, calling for a deeper spiritual understanding. The Gospel from Matthew takes us to the heart of Jesus’ teachings on radical love. He replaces the old law of retaliation with a call to non-resistance and love for enemies. Jesus’ teachings challenge us to move beyond mere compliance with the law to a deeper, transformative love. This passage from the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes that our actions should reflect God’s perfection, treating others with the same love and kindness He shows us. These readings connect through the theme of living a holy and loving life. Leviticus sets the foundation of moral behavior, Corinthians addresses the community’s spiritual unity, and Matthew expands this to radical love. Together, they call us to a life that goes beyond rules to one of profound love and unity. In daily life, this means responding to conflicts with love, not just avoiding hate but actively seeking good for others. We are called to give freely, forgive generously, and pray for those who wrong us. The moral lesson is clear: imitate God’s perfection in how we treat others, even when it’s difficult. Let us strive to live out this radical love, reflecting God’s holiness in our actions and attitudes.