Daily Readings - Sat Feb 24 2018
First Reading - Deuteronomy 26.16-19
Deuteronomy
16This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.17Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:18And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;19And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
Gospel - Matthew 5.43-48
Matthew
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of God’s call to live a life of deep commitment and love. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes the Israelites’ covenant with God, where they are called to follow His commandments with all their heart and soul. This passage highlights the special relationship between God and His people, a relationship rooted in fidelity and obedience. The Gospel from Matthew takes this a step further, as Jesus challenges us to go beyond loving only those who love us. He calls us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. This teaching pushes us to move beyond superficial relationships and to embrace a radical love that mirrors God’s own love for the world.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on living out our faith in a way that reflects God’s holiness and love. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are set apart as a holy people, chosen by God for a special purpose. In Matthew, Jesus calls us to live out this holiness by loving even those who may not deserve it. Both readings remind us that our relationship with God is not just about rituals or rules, but about living in a way that reflects His character. Just as the Israelites were called to walk in God’s ways, we too are called to live as children of God, imitating His mercy and love.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are challenged to examine how we treat others, especially those who may be difficult or hostile toward us. Do we pray for those who wrong us, or do we hold grudges? Do we go out of our way to show kindness to those who may not reciprocate it? Jesus’ words remind us that true holiness is not about being better than others, but about being like God—merciful, compassionate, and generous. As we strive to live out this radical love, we become a reflection of God’s perfection in a world that often lacks it. Let us ask ourselves today: Am I living in a way that truly reflects God’s love? Am I choosing to love even when it’s hard? In doing so, we not only fulfill our covenant with God, but we also become a light of hope and holiness in a world that desperately needs it.