First Reading (Dt 4,1.5-9)
Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Moses spoke to the people, saying: “Now, Israel, listen to the laws and decrees that I teach you to follow, so that by doing so, you may live and enter into possession of the promised land that the Lord God of your fathers will give you. See, I have taught you laws and decrees as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may practice them in the land you are entering to take possession of.
You must keep and observe them, for in them lies your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples, who will hear all these laws and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people!’ For what great nation is there whose gods are so near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there that has statutes and decrees as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today? But take care! Be diligent not to forget the things that you have seen with your own eyes, and not to let them slip from your memory as long as you live; teach them to your children and grandchildren”.
– The Word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Mt 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 have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”.
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we gather here in this church to reflect on the Word of God and how it applies to our daily lives. As we look at the chosen biblical passages for today, we are challenged to delve into the depth of Scriptures and understand the importance of living according to God’s teachings.
Imagine, for a moment, that you are in an ordinary day of work or study. You are surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family members, each with their own load of concerns, joys, and challenges. It is in this context that the words of Deuteronomy strike us: “Listen, Israel, to the statutes and decrees that I teach you to observe” (Dt 4:1).
This instruction from Moses to the people of Israel applies to us today. We are called to listen attentively and put into practice the teachings of God in our lives. But how can we do this meaningfully? How can we apply the spiritual truths of the Bible in our everyday experiences?
Jesus gives us the answer in the Gospel of Matthew: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them” (Mt 5:17). Jesus came not only to fulfill the Scriptures but also to show us how to live them out fully. He came to bring a new meaning, a new purpose to the law and the prophets.
Imagine that you are building a house. You have the plan, the materials, and the will to build something solid and lasting. But if you do not follow the project and the architect’s instructions, the house may collapse. Likewise, God has given us the blueprint for a full and meaningful life in the Scriptures. Jesus came as the divine architect to show us how to build that life.
Sometimes, spiritual truths may seem abstract or distant. It’s like trying to understand quantum physics without a solid foundation of scientific knowledge. But Jesus, in His wisdom, offers us analogies and tangible stories to help us grasp difficult concepts.
He speaks to us about salt, for example. “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). Salt is a common element in our kitchens, but its importance goes beyond flavor. It preserves, purifies, and adds flavor to food. Similarly, we are called to be the salt of the earth, to preserve and purify the society we live in, to add flavor to the lives of those around us.
Another image that Jesus offers us is that of light. “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). Light dispels darkness, reveals the way, and brings hope. In a world often plunged into the darkness of pain, hatred, and injustice, we are called to be the shining light, to bring hope and guidance to those around us.
Think of a lighthouse on a dark and stormy night. Mariners rely on the lighthouse’s light to safely guide them through treacherous waters. Similarly, our light can be a beacon of hope for those who are lost in the storms of life, pointing the way to peace, justice, and love.
But how can we be that salt and that light? How can we live according to God’s teachings in our everyday life? One way is through strategic repetition and reinforcement of key themes. Just as a musician repeats a melody to emphasize its beauty, we too should repeat spiritual principles so that they are engraved in our hearts and become part of who we are.
For example, when Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them” (Mt 5:17), He is reminding us of the importance of honoring and valuing the tradition and wisdom contained in the Scriptures. We should study and meditate on the Word of God regularly, allowing it to shape our thoughts, words, and actions.
Furthermore, throughout history, God has used metaphors and visual images to convey His spiritual truths. Likewise, we can use imagery and metaphors in our lives to make God’s message more vivid and memorable. For example, we can visualize prayer as a bridge that connects us directly to the heart of God, or we can imagine faith as a bird that lifts us to higher spiritual heights.
When Jesus speaks about fulfilling the law and the prophets, He also challenges us to live consistently with our faith. He tells us, “Therefore whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19). This is a clear call to practical action.
We can begin by reflecting on our own lives and identifying areas where we are not living according to God’s teachings. Perhaps we have allowed selfishness or pride to take control, or maybe we have neglected our duty to love and serve others. These are opportunities for us to repent, seek God’s forgiveness, and strive to live a life more aligned with spiritual principles.
Furthermore, we can seek guidance in Scripture and the Church’s tradition to help us discern the way forward. Sacramental confession, participation in the Eucharist, and daily prayer are means by which we can strengthen our connection with God and receive the grace necessary to live according to His will.
As we conclude this homily, I want to emphasize that the central message we find in today’s biblical passages is divine grace, love, and hope. God loves us unconditionally and invites us to live according to His teachings to experience a full and meaningful life.
Therefore, let each of us commit today to listen attentively to God’s words and put them into practice. Let us be the salt and light in this world, bringing hope, love, and peace to those around us. And when we face challenges and difficulties, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mt 6:34). God cares for us and will sustain us in all circumstances.
May the Holy Spirit guide us and empower us to live according to the teachings of Scripture. May the Word of God become tangible and applicable in our daily lives. And may, in doing so, we become true witnesses of God’s love and grace to the world around us.
So be it. Amen.
