Daily Readings - Sat Mar 16 2019
Deuteronomy
16The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.17You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him.18And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.19He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.
Matthew
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon
The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the covenant God made with his people, calling them to live according to his commandments and statutes. The Israelites are instructed to obey God with all their heart and soul, acknowledging that they have been chosen by God to be his holy people. This passage emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the relationship between God and his people: just as God chooses and blesses them, they are called to respond by living faithfully and keeping his ways. The reading invites us to reflect on our own commitment to living as God’s people, called to holiness and fidelity.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to go beyond the conventional understanding of love. He teaches that true love is not limited to those who love us but must extend even to our enemies. Jesus calls us to pray for those who persecute us and to do good to those who hate us. This radical teaching reflects the universal love of God, who sends rain and sunshine on both the just and the unjust. Jesus invites us to imitate this divine generosity and perfection, not by seeking reward or recognition, but by embracing the humility and selflessness of God’s love.
These readings remind us that our faith is not just about following rules or receiving blessings but about living in a way that reflects God’s character. Just as the Israelites were called to be a holy people, we too are called to be children of God, living in a way that mirrors his love and mercy. In our daily lives, this means choosing to love even when it’s difficult, forgiving those who wrong us, and treating everyone with kindness, regardless of how they treat us. May we strive to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, not in our own strength, but by allowing his love to flow through us to all we encounter.