Daily Readings - Wed Mar 23 2022
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
The readings today remind us of the enduring importance of the law as a guide for living a life pleasing to God. In Deuteronomy, Moses emphasizes the importance of remembering and teaching the commandments to future generations. He presents the law not just as a set of rules, but as a source of wisdom and closeness to God. In Matthew, Jesus affirms the enduring nature of the law, making it clear that His mission is to fulfill, not abolish, the commandments. He emphasizes that even the smallest part of the law remains important, and how one applies the law matters deeply.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on the law as a foundation for a life of integrity and closeness to God. In Deuteronomy, the law is presented as a gift that sets Israel apart as a wise and understanding people. In Matthew, Jesus teaches that the law is a foundation for the kingdom of heaven, and how one interprets and applies it has consequences for their standing in God's kingdom. Together, these readings remind us that the law is not a burden, but a guide for living in a way that reflects God's wisdom and love.
In our daily lives, we are called to approach the law not as a set of rules to follow mechanically, but as a way of life that shapes our character and relationships. The law, as given in Deuteronomy and affirmed by Jesus, calls us to integrity, justice, and love. It challenges us to live in a way that reflects the wisdom and closeness to God that Moses spoke of, and to consider how our actions and teachings align with God's will. Ultimately, the law is a call to live with integrity and to let God's love and justice shape every aspect of our lives.