Daily Readings - Sat Feb 24 2024
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our neighbors, emphasizing the transformative power of love and commitment.
In the first reading from Deuteronomy, we hear the Israelites reaffirming their covenant with God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses calls them to faithfully follow God's commandments with all their heart and soul, promising that in doing so, they will become God's chosen people, set apart for His glory. This passage underscores the importance of commitment and obedience to God's will, highlighting the unique relationship between God and His people.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to move beyond conventional notions of love and hatred. He teaches that true discipleship requires loving not just those who love us, but also our enemies. Jesus emphasizes that our love should mirror God's universal love, which extends to all, regardless of merit. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of living, one that reflects the perfection of God.
Both readings call us to live out our faith in a way that sets us apart. Deuteronomy emphasizes covenant fidelity, while Matthew highlights the radical love that should characterize God's children. Together, they remind us that our commitment to God is not just about rules, but about living in a way that reflects His love and holiness. As we strive to love even those who may wrong us, we grow closer to God and become more like Him. Let us pray for the grace to embrace this challenging yet transformative call, that we may be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.