Moses is a key figures in the Old Testament, a key figure in the Jewish faith. He is a key figure in our Catholic faith as well. Moses gives the people their laws and he tells them that they must be careful to observe these laws because they come from God. Our reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the importance that God and his law are to have in our daily lives. God’s law is central to the Gospel message today as well. Jesus states that came to complete the laws given to us by Moses and that these laws are to be obeyed. There were probably some in Ancient Israel who hoped that Jesus came to abolish these laws. Jesus places importance in living in the spirit of the law and not just the mere letter of the law. While this is challenging to do, it is infinitely pleasing to God.
If you think about it, we don’t hear people talking about God’s laws very much in today’s modern world, do we? We hear a lot about secular justice, about what is politically correct, about not wanting to offend anyone, about not limiting someone’s freedom to do what he wants. We want to do what feels good or what is convenient. But we don’t hear a lot about the content of God’s law.
A parishioner once told me that we need to set the bar high in our parish – high for our children, youth, and adults, to take responsibility for forming ourselves in the faith and in attending mass and celebrating the other sacraments of the faith. We should not accept mediocrity or complacency. We should live out our faith with passion and enthusiasm and love. We as a Church want to reach out to members and to draw people into our community of faith, but we are also called to embrace God’s law and to proclaim it to the world as well. God is a love and mercy. Out of God’s love and mercy, he asks for our obedience. God expects a certain standard of conduct from us, that is for sure. Let us approach our faith this Lent with open and obedient hearts.
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