3rd Week of Lent
15th March 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Moses spoke to the people, saying, "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. See, 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. Keep 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.' For 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? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? "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.
Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 (R. 12a)
R/. O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!
Gospel : Matthew 5:17-19
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For 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. Therefore 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.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Follow and Live!
Indicative: Often laws and statutes are seen in a legalistic and moralistic sense. Accordingly, there is a pressing sense of fear and coercion{alertSuccess}
1. Today we can focus our reflection on the attitude and approach toward laws and rules. As such, they indicate a restrictive and binding nature and role. So, often the issue is whether one follows them or violates them. Fidelity thus is measured in terms of adherence to their observance.
2. This is rather a deficient approach. This kind of perspective short-sights our vision. It also dilutes the essence of the laws and rules. Today’s word of God resurges the positive response of the laws. We need to revisit them. Though they are binding, they are meant to liberate. Though they are restrictive, they are purposed to be constructive
3. Laws are never for their own sake. They are always directed and destined for something higher. They are meant for a greater end. They can never be absolutised. But at the same time, they should not be minimised as well
4. In the light of the first reading, the noble purpose of the statutes and decrees is to “live and take possession of the destined land”. They are also evidence and testimonies of the wisdom and intelligence of those who observe
5. In the light of the gospel, they are conditions, criteria and “gate passes” for meriting God’s kingdom. We are earnestly called to remember them and “not let them slip from our memory”. We must obey them and also teach and lead others to follow the same
Imperative: We need to rise above dry obedience to laws to a “fecund” surrender to the spirit of the laws, which is God’s will. In this sense, there is no scope for any leverage{alertSuccess}