A reading from the book of Deuteronomy (4:1,5-9)
Moses said to the people: ‘And now, Israel, listen to the laws and customs that I am teaching you, so that, by observing them, you may survive to enter and take possession of the land which the Lord, God of your ancestors, is giving you. Look, as the Lord my God commanded me, I am teaching you laws and customs, for you to observe in the country of which you are going to take possession. Keep them, put them into practice, and this will show your wisdom and prudence to other peoples when they hear all these laws; they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation!” And indeed, what great nation has its gods as near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation has laws and customs as righteous as all this Law which I am laying down for you today? But take care, and watch yourselves! Do not forget the things which you yourselves have seen, or let them slip from your heart as long as you live; teach them, rather, to your children and to your children’s children.’
The book of Deuteronomy looks back on the giving of the Law and in a series of speeches attributed to Moses encourages fidelity. Moses is known in Jewish tradition as ‘our rabbi’ and ‘our teacher’. In this reading his role is summarised. Adherence to the Law brings life, and wisdom, so that neighbouring nations will stand in admiration. Israel is also warned of the danger of forgetting what they were taught and ceasing to heed the Law. It is the duty of the Israelite to continue to teach: ‘teach them to your children and to your children’s children’. Remembrance of things past ensures a better future.
Psalm 147 The Lord ‘sends out his word to the earth’ and ‘reveals his word to Jacob’. As in the reading it is stressed that he has not taught other nations.
A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew (5:17-19)
Jesus said to his disciples; ‘Do think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Amen I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one dot, not one little stroke, will pass from the Law until everything is achieved. Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but anyone who keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.
These important words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount emphasise the continuity between Law and gospel. Jesus brings the Law and the Prophets to fulfilment. These words serve as a prelude to the ‘antitheses’ (5:21-48), in which Jesus invites a deeper kind of justice. Those who keep and teach the fullness of the Law will be ‘called great’ in the kingdom. The Law was given to Israel by the love of God; it is proclaimed to Christians as a law of love.
What can I do to bring the Law and the Prophets to fulfilment?
Pray for the Jewish people that they will continue in fidelity to God’s covenant.