Daily Readings - Wed Mar 15 2023
Deuteronomy
1"And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.5See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.6Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'7For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?8And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?9"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children--
Matthew
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will 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.