Saturday of the First Week
In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses continues to instruct the people in the statutes and laws of the Lord which are perfect. What is so remarkable in this last book of the Torah is that these laws are given not as a reprimand but as the foundation of God’s covenant with His people. We have a God who calls us into relationship. He will be our God. We will be His people, a people sacred to Him as we keep His commandments.
In today’s gospel reading, Matthew tells us more about this covenant that God has made with His people. Just as Jesus loves us, he calls on us to love one another; to go beyond our bounds, beyond our comfort zone. It is not enough to love family, friends and others who gratify us. We must love our enemies. God is our perfect model of love as he “makes the sun shine on bad and good alike, and the rain to fall on the just and unjust.” The God who made and loves all of us, teaches us that we must love without discrimination.
The covenant God makes with us call us into a deeper relationship with Him and a love of others, even our enemies.
God grant me the grace to love my enemies. Oh, how much more comfortable to find fault, to claim higher ground from which to look down on those I call enemy. I pray that you would move my heart this day to respond with love for all.
Jackie Lawson, M’89
Member of the Worshipping Community
Scripture
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website
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