Daily Readings - Sat Mar 15 2025
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 reminded of the profound call to live as children of God, reflecting His love and perfection in our lives. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes the Israelites' commitment to follow God's commandments, highlighting their unique relationship with Him as His chosen people. This passage underscores the importance of living according to God's laws, not merely out of obligation but as a natural response to His grace and love.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to expand our understanding of love beyond conventional boundaries. Jesus teaches us to love not just our neighbors but also our enemies, praying for those who persecute us. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus deepens the interpretation of the law, calling us to a higher standard of love that mirrors God's universal care for all people, regardless of their actions.
These readings are connected by the theme of living out our identity as God's children. While Deuteronomy focuses on the Israelites' covenant obligations, Matthew's Gospel extends this to a universal call to love. Together, they remind us that our actions should reflect God's perfection, treating everyone with love and respect. In our daily lives, this means embracing those who may be difficult, just as God embraces us all. The moral lesson is clear: through love, we become instruments of God's transformative grace, living as true reflections of His perfect love.