3rd WEDNESDAY OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 5:17-19) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Mar 12
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Deut 4:1, 5-9
"I am teaching you the statutes and ordinances, that you may observe them."
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy
1 Now therefore, Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.
5 See, I am teaching you the statutes and ordinances as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to possess. 6 Observe them carefully, for this is your wisdom and discernment in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people.” 7 For 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? 8 Or what great nation has statutes and ordinances that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?
9 However, be on your guard and be very careful not to forget the things your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart as long as you live, but make them known to your children and to your children’s children,
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 5:17-19
"Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
From the Gospel according to Matthew
17 [a]“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.[b]
3rd WEDNESDAY OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 5:17-19)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear people of God,
Today's Word of God tells us that Jesus did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the words of the prophets, but rather He came to fulfill them and to bring God's law to perfection.
The law of Moses and the words of the prophets are, in fact, words originating from God Himself, imparted by God through Moses and the prophets, those individuals whom God had chosen.
The Law of the Old Testament remained limited and imperfect, and people continued to adhere to a formalistic and hypocritical observance of it.
The Old Testament Law taught us to love only those who love us, and to hate those who hate us.
As for the Law of God, manifested through Jesus Christ, who came down to earth to become human and lived a fully human life except for sin, to bestow upon humanity a perfect law summarized in two words: love and charity.
The Law of God teaches that we must: “Love all people, love even your enemies and those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute and kill you.”
The law of Jesus always brings forth eternal life.
For those people living in this world, if we wish to attain our ultimate goal of entering the Kingdom of God, we must observe the perfect law imparted by God, which is the law of charity and the law of love, which Jesus Himself lived out, fulfilled, and taught to all humanity.
Jesus Himself is an example for us to follow in how He observed the law: for, in living out the law of love, He sacrificed Himself, suffering death to redeem souls.
The Law of God always brings good to humanity; however, we must observe it with a heart filled with love for God, keeping the law from within our very souls.
If anyone observes the law only in its outward form, then the law itself will become a sentence of condemnation upon that person, and they will face death; but if anyone keeping the law out of love for God, they will receive eternal life.
Today's Word of God wishes to teach all children of humanity to live out the perfect law of God, which is the law of love and charity from within the soul, and observe the law out of love for God, so that we may enter and enjoy happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The laws that God has given are always closely united; therefore, do not abolish any law that God has given, for the Word of God has declared: “Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the Law, until all things have taken place.”
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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