Daily Readings - Wed Mar 10 2021
Deuteronomy
1"And now, O Israel, listen to the precepts and judgments which I am teaching to you, so that, by doing these, you may live, and you may enter and possess the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, will give to you5You know that I have taught you precepts as well as justices, just as the Lord my God has commanded me. And so shall you do in the land that you will possess6And you shall observe and fulfill these in practice. For this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, so that, upon hearing all these precepts, they may say: ‘Lo, a wise and understanding people, a great nation.7Neither is there any other nation so great, which has its gods so near to them, as our God is present to all our petitions8For what other nation is there so renowned as to have ceremonies, and just judgments, and the entire law that I will set forth today before your eyes9And so, guard yourself and your soul carefully. You should not forget the words that your eyes have seen, and do not let them be cut away from your heart, throughout all the days of your life. You shall teach them to your sons and to your grandsons
Matthew
17Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill18Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done19Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven
Sermon
In today's readings, we reflect on the enduring importance of God's laws and their fulfillment through Jesus Christ. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes Moses' instruction to the Israelites to adhere to God's precepts, not just for their survival but as a testament to their wisdom and closeness to God. This passage underscores the responsibility to teach these laws to future generations, ensuring they remain central to their identity and faith.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who affirms that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. This fulfillment is not about diminishing the law's importance but about embedding it deeper into our hearts and actions. Jesus highlights the law's permanence, stressing that even the smallest part remains significant. This teaching challenges us to not only follow the law but to embody it in a way that inspires others, making us great in the kingdom of heaven.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to live with integrity, guided by moral principles that reflect God's love. Just as the Israelites were to teach their children, we too should pass on these values, whether through words or actions. Jesus' fulfillment of the law reminds us that our faith is not just about rules but about a way of life that honors God. Let us strive to live faithfully, knowing that our commitment to God's teachings profoundly impacts our lives and the lives of those around us.