Daily Readings - Sat Feb 27 2021
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 are invited to reflect on the profound themes of covenant, love, and holiness. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the sacred bond between God and His people. The Israelites, having chosen to follow the Lord, are called to live according to His commandments and statutes, not out of obligation, but as a people set apart, holy and beloved. This passage emphasizes the mutual choosing—God chooses us, and we choose Him—highlighting the intimate and intentional nature of this relationship.
The Gospel from Matthew expands this idea of covenant and holiness, challenging us to live it out in a radical way. Jesus teaches us to love not just our neighbors but also our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to extend kindness to those who hate us. This is not merely a suggestion but a call to imitate the perfection of our heavenly Father, who showers His blessings equally on the just and the unjust. Jesus reminds us that loving only those who love us back is no different from the way the world operates. True holiness, therefore, lies in going beyond the ordinary, in mirroring God’s universal and unconditional love.
These readings remind us that being chosen by God is not a privilege but a responsibility. It calls us to live in a way that reflects His nature—merciful, generous, and perfect. In our daily lives, this means breaking free from the limits of our natural inclinations and embracing the supernatural love that Jesus exemplified. Let us ask ourselves: Do we love only those who are easy to love, or do we stretch our hearts to include those who challenge us? Do we pray for those who wrong us, or do we hold onto resentment? The path to holiness is not about being better than others but about being open vessels of God’s love, even when it’s difficult. As we strive to live this way, we become the light of the world, reflecting the perfect love of our Father in heaven.