Daily Readings - Sun Oct 25 2020
Exodus
21"You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.22You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.23If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry,24and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.25"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.26If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down,27for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
1 Thessalonians
5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.8For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.9For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Matthew
34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38This is the great and first commandment.39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the importance of love and compassion. The first reading from Exodus emphasizes social justice, urging us not to oppress newcomers, widows, or orphans, and to act with kindness towards those in need. This reflects a society built on care and empathy. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, as the Thessalonians, despite trials, became a beacon of faith, inspiring others through their joy and commitment. This shows the positive impact of living out our beliefs. The Gospel from Matthew brings these themes together, as Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbor, underscoring that love is the foundation of all we do.
These readings connect by illustrating how our actions reflect our faith. Exodus and Matthew both stress the importance of treating others with love and respect, while 1 Thessalonians demonstrates the fruit of living these values. Together, they call us to a life where love for God and neighbor guides our interactions, leading to a compassionate and just community.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are encouraged to embrace opportunities to show love and kindness, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. By living out these commandments, we not only honor God but also create a positive impact around us. Let us reflect on how we can embody this love, transforming our relationships and the world around us through compassion and care.