Daily Mass Readings for Friday, 25 August 2023
First Reading: Ruth 1: 1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Alleluia: Psalms 25: 4b, 5a
Gospel: Matthew 22: 34-40
Friday, 25 August 2023
First Reading
Ruth 1: 1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
Once in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land;
so a man from Bethlehem of Judah
departed with his wife and two sons
to reside on the plateau of Moab.
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died,
and she was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women,
one named Orpah, the other Ruth.
When they had lived there about ten years,
both Mahlon and Chilion died also,
and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.
She then made ready to go back from the plateau of Moab
because word reached her there
that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed with her.
Naomi said, "See now!
Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god.
Go back after your sister-in-law!"
But Ruth said, "Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you!
For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge,
your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
Thus it was that Naomi returned
with the Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth,
who accompanied her back from the plateau of Moab.
They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 146:5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
The LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Alleluia
Ps 25:4b, 5a
Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God,
guide me in your truth.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Todays Reflection
Loving in Difficult Situations
Jesus' response to the Pharisees, who tried to trap him, was perfect. He then asked the Pharisees questions that they could not answer, and they dared not ask Him any further questions at that time. Sometimes, being challenged by another in matters of faith helps us clarify our beliefs. Jesus did not need clarity for His own sake, but he did offer it to help both the Pharisees and His followers.
Having our faith challenged by another will either result in confusion or deeper understanding. By answering this question, Jesus presented the entire Law given by Moses in the Ten Commandments in a new and summarized way. The second commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," is a consequence of the first commandment, "love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."
It is important to note that it is possible to "love" our neighbor in such a way that is contrary to the love of God. For example, if our neighbor has chosen an immoral lifestyle, we should not support their choices but let them know we love them but do not support their choices. Caring for their eternal salvation must supersede our desire to get along with them.
Love of neighbor can be challenging, especially when the neighbor is a family member who has turned from God. However, Jesus always gave the perfect response of love and never allowed their misguided conversation to leave confusion. We must rely on the wisdom and love of God when loving another is difficult, so that our love does not deviate from the pure love of God.
Reflect on the high calling to love God above all and to love our neighbor with the same love that you have for God. If loving someone is difficult, pray for the wisdom to remain faithful to them in God's love alone. Trust in the Lord to give us the wisdom to love others with the love You have for them.
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