Wednesday of the
Third Week of Lent
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
John Adams, the second president of the United States,
taught that governments are better guided by laws than by “men.” He meant that a nation fares better when it
follows prudent laws rather than charismatic men and women. Moses delivers a similar message to the
Israelites in today’s first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.
The word “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law.” The book re-presents the Law that the Book of
Exodus describes God giving the people. Deuteronomy also explains the value of
the Law as today’s passage shows. It says
that because it comes from God, abiding by it assures God’s assistance. In the reading from Matthew’s gospel Jesus upholds
the entire Law. Perhaps some in his day
thought that he meant to pick and choose the parts of it that were to be
followed. Perhaps, also, Matthew wants
to cite Jesus to refute those who misinterpret St. Paul by saying the Law has
been abolished.
Christians, in fact, do not follow the dietary and ritual
laws of the Old Testament. But we should
obey its personal and social precepts. It
is true that we have a New Law, but that merely gives an overarching summary of
the pertinent precepts. We are to love
God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. To accomplish these daunting tasks we have
the Holy Spirit to assist us.
