Daily Readings - Sun Jul 13 2025
Deuteronomy
10If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.11For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.12It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?13Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?14But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Colossians
15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Luke
25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the accessibility of God's commandments, the central role of Christ in creation and redemption, and the practical call to love our neighbors. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes that God's word is not distant but resides in our hearts and mouths, making it achievable to follow. The second reading from Colossians highlights Jesus as the image of the invisible God, through whom all things were created and reconciled through His sacrifice. The Gospel, through the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrates that loving our neighbor involves showing mercy to all, even those we might not normally associate with.
These readings connect by emphasizing the centrality of Christ and the practical application of God's word. Deuteronomy's message of accessibility underscores that living according to God's will is within our reach. Colossians' focus on Christ as the source of all creation and reconciliation provides the theological foundation for understanding our role in the world. The Gospel then challenges us to live out this theology through active love and mercy, exemplified by the Good Samaritan who transcended societal divisions to help someone in need.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace the commandments with love and mercy. Just as the Good Samaritan went beyond expectations to care for a stranger, we are called to recognize our neighbors in those around us, especially those often overlooked. The moral lesson is clear: living according to God's word means actively demonstrating love and compassion, recognizing that Christ is the source of our ability to do so. Let us strive to embody this love, just as the Good Samaritan did, and in doing so, reflect the reconciling love of Christ in our world.