Daily Readings - Wed Mar 18 2020
Deuteronomy
1Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.5See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.6Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."7What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?8And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?9Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
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.18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.19Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will 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 our lives. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses exhorts the people of Israel to listen to and observe the precepts and judgments he has taught them. These laws are not just rules to be followed; they are a way of life that will allow them to thrive in the land God is giving them. Moses emphasizes that these laws are a source of wisdom and a witness to the closeness of God, who is near to His people and hears their petitions. He urges them to guard these laws carefully and pass them on to future generations.
In the Gospel, Jesus reaffirms the importance of the law. He makes it clear that He has not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. This means that every part of the law, down to the smallest detail, remains in force until all things are accomplished. Jesus warns that loosening even the smallest commandment and teaching others to do so diminishes one’s place in the kingdom of heaven. Conversely, those who observe and teach the commandments will be considered great in the kingdom.
These readings challenge us to reflect on how we approach God’s law in our daily lives. The law is not a burden but a gift, a guide for living in a way that honors God and fosters love and justice. Like the Israelites, we are called to internalize God’s teachings and pass them on to others. Jesus’ words remind us that our faith is not just about grand gestures but about fidelity to the small, everyday choices that reflect our commitment to His will. Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions and decisions bear witness to the wisdom and love of God’s law, and may we be among those who are considered great in the kingdom of heaven.