Daily Readings - Sat Feb 24 2024
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
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.