Moses is a key figure in the Old Testament, a key figure in the Jewish faith, and a key figure in our Catholic faith. Moses presents God’s law and commandments to the people, telling them that they must be careful to observe the law 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 law given to Moses, that God's law is to be obeyed. Some in Ancient Israel hoped that Jesus came to abolish the law. It is important to note that Jesus places importance in living in the spirit of the law and not just the letter of the law. While this is challenging to do, it is infinitely pleasing to God.
We don’t hear people talking about God’s law very much in the modern world. We hear a lot about secular justice, about what is politically correct, about not wanting to offend anyone, about not limiting our individual freedoms. 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.
It is easy to blame Pope Francis or to blame the Church or to blame others for what we see going on in our Church today. We need to see our own responsibility for forming ourselves in the faith, in attending mass, and celebrating the sacraments. We should not accept mediocrity or complacency in the way we live of our faith. Our faith should be full of passion, enthusiasm, and love. We as a Church should want to draw others 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 love and mercy. Out of God’s love and mercy, he asks for our obedience. God expects a certain standard of conduct from us as is laid out in his law. Let us approach our faith this Lent with open and obedient hearts.
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