Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

March 18, 2020

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Assistant Director for Retreat Ministry

 

Memorial Feast:  Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315-386)  Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Book of Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9

Psalm 147

Matthew 5:17-19

 

Praise God!  Today’s readings are just that; the praise of God on account of the laws given to His people.  First, Moses insists that God’s statues and decrees are just and following them is a sign of wisdom and intelligence of the people of Israel.  For Jesus, obeying and teaching the commands of God’s law reveals the greatness of the Kingdom.  Even the Psalmist todays sings, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.”

Most of my adult life I have studied and applied laws, statutes, ordinances and decrees.  Never once did I regard them to be a source of praise and rejoicing.  They were simply rules ratified by law makers and if you broke those laws, well, you were in trouble with “The Man.”     

So why do we have reason to praise God for giving us His statues and decrees?  It’s simple really.  We are not praising some bureaucratic apparatus.  Nor are we praising a system of minor resolutions or for the protection of property rights.

Rather, we realize that God calls us, as a people, to a new life.  God renews our whole community.  God’s laws are not something to be afraid of, but a source of consolation and joy.

Question of the Day:  Are you willing to abide by the Laws of God as well as the laws enacted by our civil authorities?

Prayer:  Lord God, through Saint Cyril You miraculously unified Your Church that she might more fully grasp the mysteries of salvation.  Through his intercession help us to acknowledge Your Son and so obtain more abundant life.  Amen.

Prosit