Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you peace on this third Wednesday of our Lenten Season. In today’s readings at Holy Mass we will be reminded of the precious gift of guidance, statutes and decrees that come from God so as to help us live our identities as his sons and daughters in a way which will show gratitude for that dignity.
In our first reading from the fourth chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy (commonly understood as meaning "explanation" of the law, or "exhortation" inducing to the observance of the law), Moses is preparing his people for the ten commandments which will be enunciated in chapter five. Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of the Pentateuch and so, as the saying goes, the author left the best for last. By best here, we mean, what the author considered the most important part of everything described in the law and the prophets – an indication for moving forward in peace, order, and prosperity due to God’s blessing, within a covenantal relationship with him. In other words, fidelity to God will have its perks.
During Lent, we usually try to examine ourselves with a closer scrutiny as to how we are conducting this gift of a relationship with God. A lot of times it will be reflected on how we are treating others in general, and also specifically and individually. So when we say that following the law of the Lord has its perks, we need to also be careful that we are not being obedient merely for what we can get out of it. Rather, we desire to observe the guidance of the Lord, first of all because it is wise, and secondly because we are grateful.
In today’s gospel, our Lord says he came to fulfill and to perfect the law and the prophets and not to abolish them. Our Lord himself gave us commandments which raise the bar, up the ante, in the sense that now he has called us not just to virtuous living, but to a heroic kind of virtue. “You have heard it said, but now I say to you… love your enemy.” We know what we have to do to keep our relationship with our Lord real, but we often lack the strength to do it. We know what is sinful, and often lack the strength to resist. How can we help ourselves? Because we can either help ourselves, or make it more difficult. We have to strategize.
What can help me be more obedient to Christ’s words? First of all, we can make it a priority to obey:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:7-10
Secondly, we can delight in knowing that what we are obeying is good. This is not a set of instructions on how to rob a bank, or how to deceive the masses. These are commandments that are pure, and right, and holy and altruistic.
Of course, the greatest way we can learn to obey, is by imitating our Lord who obeyed even unto death, but where did He get his strength from? Yes, prayer. Spending time with the Father. Let our strength to do good come from him also, for without his grace, we can do nothing. May God bless you all through the intercession of our Lady and may he make his countenance to shine upon you. Amen.
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