Tuesday, March 10, 2015
WEDNESDAY, 3rd Week of Lent
March 11, 2015 WEDNESDAY, 3rd Week of Lent
Violet
Dt 4:1, 5-9 / Mt 5:17-19
Reading: Dt 4:1, 5-9
And now, Israel, listen to the norms and laws which I teach that you may put them into practice. And you will live and enter and take possession of the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, gives you.
See, as Yahweh, my God, ordered me, I am teaching you the norms and the laws that you may put them into practice in the land you are going to enter and have as your own. If you observe and practice them, other peoples will regard you as wise and intelligent. When they come to know of all these laws, they will say, "There is no people as wise and as intelligent as this great nation." For in truth, is there a nation as great as ours, whose gods are as near to it as Yahweh, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? And is there a nation as great as ours whose norms and laws are as just as this Law which I give you today?
But be careful and be on your guard. Do not forget these things which your own eyes have seen nor let them depart from your heart as long as you live.
Gospel: Mt 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not think that I have come to remove the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to remove but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or stroke of the Law will change until all is fulfilled.
"So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom of heaven."
Reflection:
Today's readings are about the Law which God had given to his people. In the first reading from Deuteronomy Moses reminds the people about the covenant the people of Israel had made with their God, the God who had freed them from the slavery of Egypt and who had given them the commandments: "If you observe and practice them, other people will regard you as wise and intelligent. When they come to know of all these laws, they will say, 'There is no people as wise and intelligent as this great nation.' For in truth, is there a nation as great as ours, whose gods are as near to it as Yahweh, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? And is there a nation as great as ours whose norms and laws are as just as this Law which I give you today?' "
In the Gospel reading Jesus affirms the Law and commandments in the covenant of God with Israel. At the same time he tells his listeners that he had come "not to remove the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them."
The Law and the Prophets are summarized in love of God and of neighbor. At the same time, in fulfilling and perfecting the Law, Jesus tells his listeners, "I tell you, then, that if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."
"If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect."
Jesus himself is the fulfillment and embodiment of the Law and the Prophets.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
IN MEMORIAM (+)
NATIVIDAD L. CHUAKAY
SAW CEN
BIRTHDAY
ANNA MARIE CUNANAN CHENG
ATTY. MARIANNE REYNA C. LINA
GIO C. VENTURA
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 12:55 PM 
