Daily Readings - Sat Mar 07 2020
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
In today's readings, we hear from Deuteronomy and Matthew, both of which invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our neighbors. The first reading from Deuteronomy 26:16-19 emphasizes the Israelites' commitment to following God's commandments and their identity as God's chosen people. This passage is part of Moses' farewell address, where he reminds the Israelites of their covenant with God and their responsibility to live according to His laws. The second reading from Matthew 5:43-48 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He challenges His listeners to move beyond conventional wisdom. Jesus expands the traditional understanding of love, which was often limited to neighbors, to include even enemies. He calls His followers to pray for their persecutors and to strive for the same perfection as their heavenly Father.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on living out one's faith in a way that reflects God's character. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are called to observe God's commandments and to be a holy people, set apart for His glory. In Matthew, Jesus takes this idea further by teaching that true holiness involves loving those who may not love us in return. Both readings highlight the importance of living in a way that mirrors God's love and justice. While the first reading focuses on the external observance of laws, the Gospel challenges us to cultivate an interior disposition of love that transcends human boundaries.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine how we live out our faith in our daily lives. Loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us is no easy task, but it is precisely this kind of love that sets us apart as children of God. In a world that often values reciprocity and self-interest, Jesus calls us to a higher standard—one that reflects the boundless and unconditional love of our heavenly Father. Let us ask ourselves: Do we limit our love to those who love us back, or do we strive to love as God loves? May we, like the Israelites, choose to walk in God's ways and may we, like Jesus teaches, be perfect as our Father is perfect.