Daily Readings - Sun Oct 25 2020
Exodus
21Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.22Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.23If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;24And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.26If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:27For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
1 Thessalonians
5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:7So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.8For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Matthew
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 are reminded of the importance of love and compassion. The first reading from Exodus emphasizes social justice, urging us not to oppress newcomers, widows, or orphans, and to act with kindness towards those in need. This reflects a society built on care and empathy. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, as the Thessalonians, despite trials, became a beacon of faith, inspiring others through their joy and commitment. This shows the positive impact of living out our beliefs. The Gospel from Matthew brings these themes together, as Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbor, underscoring that love is the foundation of all we do.
These readings connect by illustrating how our actions reflect our faith. Exodus and Matthew both stress the importance of treating others with love and respect, while 1 Thessalonians demonstrates the fruit of living these values. Together, they call us to a life where love for God and neighbor guides our interactions, leading to a compassionate and just community.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are encouraged to embrace opportunities to show love and kindness, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. By living out these commandments, we not only honor God but also create a positive impact around us. Let us reflect on how we can embody this love, transforming our relationships and the world around us through compassion and care.