Daily Readings - Wed Mar 15 2023
Deuteronomy
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;
Matthew
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
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.