Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 22, 2025
First Reading: Ruth 1.1-2ab, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
1In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.2The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.3Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.4They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,5both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.6When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.14At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.15"Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her."16But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.22So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.
Psalm 146
1Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.2I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.3Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.4When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.5Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,6the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them- the LORD, who remains faithful forever.7He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,8the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.9The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.10The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 22.34-40
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 encounter two profound narratives that guide us in understanding the essence of love and fidelity. The first reading from Ruth tells the story of Naomi and her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, set against the backdrop of famine and loss. Naomi, having lost her husband and sons, faces the daunting prospect of returning to Bethlehem alone. Yet, Ruth's unwavering loyalty shines through as she chooses to accompany Naomi, embodying a love that transcends cultural and familial bonds. This act of devotion reflects a deep trust in God's providence, even amidst adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on the greatest commandments. When asked, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our being and, equally, loving our neighbor as ourselves. This dual commandment is not merely a suggestion but the foundation of the entire law and prophets. Jesus' words challenge us to recognize that our love for God is inseparable from our love for others.
Ruth's story beautifully illustrates Jesus' teaching. Her decision to stay with Naomi, despite the challenges, exemplifies what it means to love one's neighbor. In a time of instability, Ruth's fidelity and compassion towards Naomi demonstrate the practical application of loving one's neighbor. This teaches us that true love for God is manifested through our actions towards others, regardless of their background or circumstances.
In our daily lives, we are called to reflect on how we embody these commandments. Do we show love and fidelity to those around us, especially in difficult times? Let us seek opportunities to demonstrate love and compassion, just as Ruth did. The moral lesson here is clear: our love for God is not abstract but is lived out in our relationships with others. As we navigate our own challenges, may we draw inspiration from Ruth and Naomi, trusting in God's providence and striving to love both God and neighbor with all our hearts.