The readings make space for a truthful return, without panic or performance. Stay with what Jesus says or does here, and let it ask for one honest response.
Today’s readings
First Reading
Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Today the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you would walk in his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and listen to his voice. The LORD has declared today that you are a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments. He will make you high above all nations that he has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the LORD your God, as he has spoken.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD's law. Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them. Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes! I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BETH
Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
A question for your journal
What part of your heart wants to return to God with more honesty today?
Scripture text: World English Bible Catholic Edition, public domain. Reading citations are prepared for Come Aside from MIT-licensed citation metadata.
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