Daily Readings - Sat Feb 24 2024
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
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.