3RD WEEK OF LENT
Sts. Felicity & Perpetua, martyrs
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)
Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
1st 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. But on the contrary, teach them to your children and to your children’s children.
Gospel: Mt 5:17-19
Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them, but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in 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 the 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.
Reflections
I HAVE COME NOT TO ANNUL THE LAW BUT TO FULFILL IT
Laws are meant to facilitate life in community. Without laws or rules, there will be chaos and conflicts among people living together. But laws have a tendency to assume an independent existence of their own and to become oppressive if absolutized. When Jesus said he came to fulfill the law, he meant the laws that genuinely promote the peace, harmony and well-being. But he is aware that people in power can manipulate the law to their own ends or to make life harder for people. So there are instances in the Gospel when Jesus seemed to break the law — like when he healed during the Sabbath, when he allowed his disciples to pick grains during the Sabbath, when he and his disciples omitted the purification rituals before meals, etc. It is important that we have a healthy relationship to the law. We recognize that laws are important to guide peoples’ relationship. But we should not follow them blindly. We have to see them in the context of the concrete situation and their impact on people. In education, what should be emphasized should not be comformity to rules and regulations but the development of good judgment and responsible decision-making that is guided by reason and one’s conscience. It also means taking responsibility for one’s decision and the consequences of our actions.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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