Daily Readings - Sat Mar 04 2023
Deuteronomy
16Today the Lord your God has instructed you to carry out these commandments and judgments, and to keep and fulfill them, with all your heart and with all your soul17Today, you have chosen the Lord to be your God, so that you may walk in his ways, and keep his ceremonies and commandments and judgments, and obey his command18Today, the Lord has chosen you, so that you may be his particular people, just as he has spoken to you, and so that you may keep all his precepts19and so that he may cause you to be more exalted than all the nations which he has created, for the sake of his own praise and name and glory, in order that you may be a holy people for the Lord your God, just as he has spoken.
Matthew
43You 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 explore profound teachings from Deuteronomy and Matthew, both inviting us to embrace a life of deep faith and love. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes the Israelites' commitment to God's commandments, highlighting their covenant relationship. They are reminded of their special status as God's chosen people, called to holiness and obedience. This passage underscores the importance of living out faith through actions, adhering to God's laws, and recognizing the privilege of being His people.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus' radical teaching on love. He challenges the conventional wisdom of loving only those who love us, urging us instead to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus expands the understanding of the Law, calling His followers to a higher standard of morality and compassion. By loving our enemies, we emulate God, who bestows His blessings equally on the just and the unjust.
These readings connect through the theme of being chosen by God and living according to His will. Deuteronomy focuses on external obedience, while Matthew delves into the internal attitudes of love and forgiveness. Together, they call us to a holistic faith—both in action and in heart. Applying this to daily life, we are challenged to forgive, show kindness, and pray for those who wrong us, reflecting God's universal love. The moral lesson is clear: we are called to holiness, striving for perfection as God is perfect, through grace and our efforts to love unconditionally.