Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 23, 2022
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4.1, 5-9
1Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.6Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.7For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?8And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
Psalm 147
1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 5.17-19
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same 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.