First Reading (Deuteronomy 4,1.5-9)
Reading of the Book of Deuteronomy.
Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Now, Israel, listen to the laws and decrees that I teach you to do, that by doing them you may live and enter into possession of the promised land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. Behold, I have taught you laws and decrees as the Lord my God commanded me, that you may do them in the land which you are going to enter and take possession of. You shall therefore keep them and put them in practice, because in them is your wisdom and intelligence before the people, so that, when they hear all these laws, they say: ‘Truly, this great nation is wise and intelligent!’ For what is the great nation whose gods are as close to it as the Lord our God, whenever we call on Him? And what nation is there so great that has laws and decrees as righteous as this law that I set before your eyes today?
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Matthew 5,17-19)
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them in full. Truly, I tell you, before heaven and earth cease to exist, not a single letter or comma will be removed from the Law, until everything is fulfilled. Therefore, whoever disobeys even one of these commandments, no matter how small, and teaches others to do the same, will be considered the lesser in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, whoever practices and teaches them will be considered great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My brothers and sisters, imagine for a moment the sound of a child hearing the words of a sacred book for the first time. Her eyes shine, and her heart opens to something new and profound. As she begins to understand the meaning of the words, she feels connected to something greater, to a truth that transcends her own understanding. Now, imagine that, just like that child, we are also called to open ourselves to the Word of God, to listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts. Today, the readings from Deuteronomy and Matthew invite us to reflect on the value and importance of the Law of God, which is a light for our paths.
In Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the people of Israel with great urgency and passion. He reminds them of how God, in His infinite wisdom and love, gave them a Law that is more than a set of rules; it is a moral compass, an eternal truth. “Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments that I teach you… Keep them and do them, that you may live….” Moses speaks with the authority of someone who has personally experienced the goodness of God, and he wants the people of Israel to understand that obedience to the Law is not just an obligation, but a path to true life.
Let us think of God’s Law as the manual of an excellent engineer who designed a perfect vehicle. The manual is not there to restrict us, but to ensure that the car operates correctly and safely, without causing harm to yourself or others. God’s Law works the same way. She is not a burden, but a guide to true freedom and happiness.
Moses reminds the people of Israel of something vital: this Law is not a human invention. It is not something that arose from a selfish desire or an arbitrary imposition, but it is a direct gift from God, a divine revelation. It is holy and righteous because it comes from the very heart of God. When we follow God’s Law, we are not just fulfilling a rule, but connecting with His will, with His love, with His vision for humanity. He calls us to live it with generosity and enthusiasm, because in doing so we are getting closer to the truth that sets us free.
What Moses also asks of us, and which is so relevant for us today, is that we transmit this Law to future generations. We cannot keep this divine wisdom to ourselves, but we are called to share it, to teach it to our children and grandchildren, so that they too can live according to God’s ways. It is not about imposing, but about inviting people to experience true life, the true peace that comes from a life lived in harmony with the divine will. From generation to generation, God’s wisdom must be transmitted, like a flame that never goes out, illuminating all who wish to live according to His love.
And then we come to the gospel of Matthew, where Jesus brings us a fundamental message: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.” Jesus does not come to undo the Law, but to fulfill what is contained in it, to reveal it in its fullness and depth. He comes to show the true meaning of the Law, which goes beyond mere external observance, but touches the hearts of each one of us.
The words of Jesus, in his gospels, are not against the Law, but are the purest expression of it. Jesus is the incarnation of the Law of God, the perfect fulfillment of everything God had promised. He teaches us that true obedience to the Law is not just through a set of external actions or rituals, but through an inner transformation. The Law becomes alive in us when we love God with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves.
Let’s think about the relationship between a master and his student. The master teaches the student to know the rules of the game, but also teaches him to love the game, to understand its complexities and, finally, to play with mastery. In the same way, Jesus does not come just to explain the Law, but to teach us to love it, to live it so deeply that it becomes the essence of our being. He invites us to do more than just follow rules—He calls us to live the Law with our hearts, with our souls, with everything we are.
Furthermore, Jesus warns us about the importance of teaching the Law accurately, of not taking away or adding anything to the word of God. Those who teach it must do so faithfully, without distorting or softening its truth. The word of God cannot be manipulated or reduced to fit what is most convenient or popular. True wisdom is that which remains faithful to God’s will, without bowing to the pressures of the world.
Here, once again, we are called to reflect on how we live God’s Law in our daily lives. When we follow the way of Jesus, the way of truth and life, our lives become a living testimony to the Law of God. We are not just complying with a set of standards; we are responding to the call of divine love, which transforms us and makes us witnesses of His Kingdom.
Now, let’s apply these readings to our everyday lives. We live in a world that often tries to convince us that happiness lies in having more, in being more, in achieving more. But Jesus and Moses teach us that true happiness lies in living according to God’s will, in putting others first, in loving without measure. When we seek to live God’s Law, we are not sacrificing our freedom, but rather, we are finding true freedom. The freedom to be who we were created to be.
And this Law, this divine wisdom, is not something we should keep to ourselves. Each of us is called to be a transmitter of God’s word, to teach others by example and word what it means to live according to His will. We need, as parents, as teachers, as friends, to share the light of the Law with others, so that everyone can find the peace and joy of living in communion with God.
My brothers and sisters, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that living God’s Law is simple or easy. Often, it goes against the impulses of our ego, against the pressures of the world and against the expectations of society. But, as Moses says, it is the key to true life. When we live God’s Law, we find true peace, true happiness, true freedom.
Therefore, I invite each of us to reflect today: How are we living the Law of God? Are we really allowing it to transform our hearts, our actions, our way of seeing the world? Are we transmitting this Law with love and faithfulness to the next generations?
May, with God’s help, we be able to live according to His Word, fulfilling the commandments with a sincere heart and a life dedicated to His service. May God’s Law be more than a set of rules for us — may it be the key to a full life, rich in love, justice and peace.
May the Lord bless us, guide us and strengthen us on our journey of faith. Amen.
