Daily Readings - Sat Mar 04 2023
Deuteronomy
16"This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.17You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice.18And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,19and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."
Matthew
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 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.