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March 26, 2014

Sometimes we consider the Law as something that imposes on us, that limits us. Thus the Law becomes something constricting and undesirable. But Moses tells us in today’s first reading that if we observe the Law that God had enjoined us to follow, we are to have life and take possession of the land. Then the Law does not put a heavy burden on our shoulders. On the contrary, it frees us, for it teaches us how to have life. And what is this land that we are to possess? This land is the kingdom of God; and we are in the kingdom if we possess Christ.

Even before Christ came as man, the Law had the purpose of carrying out the divine plan for humanity. And then Christ came – to complete the Law, bringing it to perfection. It is basically still the same Law but brought to a higher realm. We will understand this with greater clarity when we read the rest of this chapter of Matthew, which is part of the Sermon on the Mount. For instance, Jesus gives us the same Law of love but introduces to us the love for the enemy. Aside from this, he imparts to us the Law with the accompanying grace to fulfill it. Therefore, let us not be afraid if Christ gives us the Law, which, seemingly, is impossible to fulfill for he grants us his Spirit. And if we possess his Spirit, the law can be accomplished in our lives.

We Christians are blessed to be given the new Law by Christ. As Ps 147 says, “He reveals his word to Jacob, his statutes and rulings to Israel.” He did not reveal them to others but to us, the new Israel, his chosen ones. When we discover the sweetness of the Law and consider it a delight, then we will understand why we are blessed to possess it. Many times, however, it still seems like a burden to us, something too demanding considering our weakness.

Let us not be disheartened whenever we fail to keep the law, for as St. Paul says in the letter to the Romans, “However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.” We can count on Christ’s infinite mercy which is accompanied by his grace. That is why, for Christ, the Law is not one of moralizing but of giving freedom.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 2

<< Wednesday, March 26, 2014 >>

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
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Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20

Matthew 5:17-19
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OBEDIENCE SCHOOL

"Hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live." —Deuteronomy 4:1

The life of a Christian is "a life of obedience" (1 Pt 1:2). As followers of Christ, we obey Him in all things, even to death on the cross (see Phil 2:8). We obey God's commandments carefully. "Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations" (Dt 4:6). We obey God's law in detail. Jesus said: "Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true" (Mt 5:18). We obey the Lord exactly, "not turning aside to the right or to the left" (Dt 5:32). We obey the Lord joyfully. To do God's will is our delight (Ps 40:9). We obey the Lord thankfully. It is a privilege to obey the Lord. Our obedience is careful, detailed, exact, joyful, and thankful. We obey because we love the Lord (see Jn 15:10).

We do not obey the Lord scrupulously. We know the Lord loves us. Christianity is not having a perfect record, but receiving God's forgiveness and mercy. We do not obey the Lord begrudgingly. We don't pout when we don't get our way. Instead, we love the Lord.

This Lent, thank God that there is more to life than doing our own thing. Thank Him for the opportunity to obey and thereby love Him.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for disobeying You. Give me the grace to love You through obedience to the Church and the Bible.

Promise: "What great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon Him?" —Dt 4:7

Praise: Dr. Norm asked Jesus to heal his patient of her migraine headache. The pain left her at once.