Deuteronomy 26:16-19 / Matthew 5:43-48
Although some people believe in a supreme being, or a divinity, they nonetheless like to remain as "free-thinkers" (although that is a local colloquial term).
Maybe the attractive factor here is the freedom.
The freedom to remain uncommitted, the freedom to live one's life according to one's own precepts, the freedom to believe whatever what one wants to believe in.
Yet in today's 1st reading from Deutoronomy, we heard two declarations.
The first declaration was from the people, that the Lord God will be their God.
And God declared that they will be His very own people.
Such a declaration of commitment is not unlike marriage vows, and such a commitment actually frees both parties to love each other more deeply.
We commit ourselves to God by following His ways, and keeping His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances.
God in turn commits Himself to us by empowering us to be a consecrated people, a holy people.
A people set apart to show others a way of living that is much more meaningful and truthful.
But if we are like "free-thinking" Christians, then are we doing anything exceptional, especially when the other non-Christians do just as much?
As Christians, Jesus calls us to be perfect, to be holy, just as our heavenly Father is perfect and holy.