Daily Readings - Wed Mar 15 2023
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 explore the enduring significance of God's laws, bridging the Old and New Testaments. The first reading from Deuteronomy captures Moses' final instructions to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's precepts, not merely as rules, but as a source of wisdom and identity. Moses urges them to remember these teachings and pass them down to future generations, highlighting the laws as a gift that sets them apart as a wise and holy people.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reinforces the permanence of the law, declaring that He has come not to abolish but to fulfill it. He underscores that every part of the law remains vital, down to the smallest detail, until all is accomplished. Jesus teaches that true greatness in the kingdom of heaven comes from living and teaching these commandments, not from loosening them. This aligns with Moses' message, showing that the law's essence endures, guiding believers in their relationship with God.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are reminded that God's commandments are not mere regulations but a blueprint for a life of love, wisdom, and holiness. Just as the Israelites were called to be a light to the nations, we too are called to live out our faith authentically. This involves not only following the laws but also embracing them as a way to reflect God's love in the world. The moral lesson here is the importance of staying rooted in God's teachings, living them out faithfully, and sharing them with others, just as Moses and Jesus exemplified. In doing so, we find true wisdom and greatness in God's eyes.