Daily Readings - Sat Mar 04 2023
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.
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 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.