Third Week of Lent – Wednesday
Matthew 5: 17-19
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’
Reflection
The mission of Jesus was to bring salvation to all God’s people. This was prophesised by Jeremiah when he wrote, ‘Their prince shall be one of their own, their ruler shall come from their midst’ (Jeremiah 30: 21) the mission of this person was to let the people know God desire for them, ‘you shall be my people and I will be your God.’ (Jeremiah 30:22) Prophets were God’s intermediary messengers; they received direction from God to help people draw closer to God; Moses received the Ten Commandments, (Exodus 31:18). These were Divine directions on how people should live good and holy lives that would enable them to be in right relationship with God and each other. The prophet Isaiah encouraged the people to ‘Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.’ (Isaiah 55:6-7) Jesus is the fulfilment of the law of love. His mission is to reveal to the world the great love that God the Father has for all His children and to help them draw closer to their heavenly Father. They are to follow God’s law, keep the commandments and live good and holy lives as the people in the Old Testament did when the followed the guidance of the prophet Isaiah. This too is how we are to live today. Our hearts are to seek God and his kingdom and not to be distracted by the many temptations that draw us away from him. Like Jesus, prayer must be the bedrock of our lives (Mark 1:35) Our manner of life must be pure of heart so that we may see God. (Matthew 5:8) Enriched by God’s grace we share in the mission of Jesus when we bring God’s good news to all people. (Romans 10:15) so that each one may know that God ‘will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on the day of festival.’ (Zephaniah 3:17)
Prayer
I ask for the grace to draw closer to God each day of my life.
May I follow God’s law and keep it with all my heart.
May prayer be the bedrock of my life;
The food of my soul,
The joy of my heart,
this day and always, Amen.
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