Daily Readings - Sun Oct 25 2020
Exodus
21"Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.22"Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.23If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.24My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.25"If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.26If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset,27because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
1 Thessalonians
5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Matthew
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'38This is the first and greatest commandment.39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the importance of love and compassion. The first reading from Exodus emphasizes social justice, urging us not to oppress newcomers, widows, or orphans, and to act with kindness towards those in need. This reflects a society built on care and empathy. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, as the Thessalonians, despite trials, became a beacon of faith, inspiring others through their joy and commitment. This shows the positive impact of living out our beliefs. The Gospel from Matthew brings these themes together, as Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbor, underscoring that love is the foundation of all we do.
These readings connect by illustrating how our actions reflect our faith. Exodus and Matthew both stress the importance of treating others with love and respect, while 1 Thessalonians demonstrates the fruit of living these values. Together, they call us to a life where love for God and neighbor guides our interactions, leading to a compassionate and just community.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are encouraged to embrace opportunities to show love and kindness, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. By living out these commandments, we not only honor God but also create a positive impact around us. Let us reflect on how we can embody this love, transforming our relationships and the world around us through compassion and care.