Daily Readings - Sun Feb 19 2023
Leviticus
1And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,2"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.17"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
1 Corinthians
16Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.19For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness,"20and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."21So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours,23and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Matthew
38"You 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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.42Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.43"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?48You therefore must be perfect, 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.