Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 6, 2024
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 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.