Daily Readings - Wed Mar 06 2024
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 God’s law and its role in guiding our lives. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses exhorts the Israelites to observe the precepts and judgments of the Lord, emphasizing that these teachings are not just rules but a way of life. He reminds them that these laws are a gift from God, setting them apart as a wise and understanding people. Moses urges them to guard these teachings carefully, teaching them to their children and grandchildren, so that they may live in the land the Lord will give them. This passage highlights the covenantal relationship between God and his people, with the law serving as the foundation of their identity and relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus affirms the importance of the law, stating unequivocally that he has not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. He emphasizes that not even the smallest part of the law will pass away until all is fulfilled. Jesus teaches that those who obey and teach the commandments will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. This passage underscores the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, showing that Jesus’ mission is not to discard the law but to bring it to its fullness. The law, as given to the Israelites, finds its ultimate meaning in the person of Christ, who embodies the perfect fulfillment of God’s will.
These readings invite us to reflect on the role of God’s law in our lives. The law is not a burden but a gift, a guide for living in a way that reflects God’s wisdom and love. Just as the Israelites were called to observe the law and pass it on to future generations, we too are called to live according to God’s teachings. In our daily lives, this means striving to follow the commandments, not out of obligation, but out of love for God and a desire to live as his children. It also means being faithful in teaching the faith to others, whether through our words or by the example of our lives. Let us remember that the law is not just a set of rules but a path to holiness, and let us seek to live with integrity and fidelity, trusting that God’s ways are always for our good.