Gospel: March 26, 2025
March 26, 2025 (Wednesday)
3rd Week of Lent
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)
Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
1st Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19
Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them, but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change, until all is fulfilled. So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.
Reflection:
“Work for justice and common good”
We are brought up to be law-abiding citizens. Laws exist to protect rights of individuals in balance with their responsibilities to others in the community, starting with their family. Laws, as an expression of justice, are enacted to ensure the peaceful coexistence of people. And yet, not all laws are just. There are many examples of outrageous laws, both past and present, which have abused the basic rights of people, to the advantage of others.
Those statues or ordinances which ignore the right to life and due care, to work with dignity and just wages, or hinder democratic participation, lack the justice referred to in today’s first reading. So, we are to work for justice and the common good. Yet, the Lord calls us to go further. Our human law should reflect God’s law, which is one of justice and love, as taught by Christ, who brought to Old Testament Law to completion.
We may be law-abiding citizens, not breaking the civil code, but as Christians we are also heavenly citizens (Phil 3:20-21), and so we are called to make God’s Law a priority in our lives (Acts 5:29-32). How well do we keep God’s Law of justice and love?
