Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 23, 2019
First Reading: Ruth 1.1-2ab, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
1Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.3And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.5And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.6Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Psalm 146
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.2While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.3Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.5Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:6Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:8The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:9The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.10The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 22.34-40
34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38This is the first and great commandment.39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on love, fidelity, and commitment. The first reading from the Book of Ruth tells the story of Naomi and her daughters-in-law, highlighting Ruth's remarkable loyalty. Despite the loss of her husband and the hardships she faced, Ruth chooses to remain with Naomi, embracing her people and her God. This narrative, set in a time of famine and loss, underscores the transformative power of love and commitment. Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi, even when given the opportunity to return to her own people, reflects a deep fidelity that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the heart of Jesus' teaching. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responds by emphasizing the dual call to love God with our entire being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This teaching is not just a moral instruction but a profound spiritual truth. Jesus is reminding us that love is the foundation of all relationships—our relationship with God and with one another. The Pharisees, who sought to test Jesus, are instead offered a truth that challenges them (and us) to re-examine how we live out this love in our daily lives.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we embody love and fidelity in our own lives. Like Ruth, we are called to remain steadfast in our commitments, even when the journey is difficult. Like Jesus, we are reminded that love is not just a feeling but a choice—a choice to prioritize God and to see the dignity and worth in every person we encounter. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: How can I love more deeply? How can I reflect the fidelity of Ruth and the transformative love of Christ in my relationships and actions? May we be guided by the wisdom of these readings to live lives marked by love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to one another.