18th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 12th August 2023 – Deuteronomy 6,4-13; Mt 17,14-20
Response to God’s Action
In the first reading, Moses delivers what is known as the Shemah, Israel, which is one of the keystones of the Jewish faith. It is one of the key texts in Scripture for the Jews to be recited daily by an observant Jew. Moses in addressing the children of Israel tells them to hear and remember what God has done. He urges them to reflect on how they are to respond to God’s action. First and foremost, their love for the Lord their God should be absolutely central characteristics of their lives (i.e., emotionally, spiritually and physically). This is certainly a declaration of monotheism in the context of the multiplicity of Baals and other gods of Canaan and elsewhere. Secondly, they are to be reminded of this duty by posting the Shemah, Israel (Hear, O Israel) prayer on their bodies and around their doors. They should say this prayer frequently and reverently. As they do so, they should also recall that God is the One who is bringing them to the Promised Land where they will inherit bounty and benefits for which they did not work or earn.
Throughout Israelites history, a faith in unique God is something that became more precise with time and experience, especially under the impact of the covenant and God’s choice of Israel as his chosen people. Because the emphasis in Scripture is always on what God does and not on what his people achieve, they are never to forget what he has done for them. Indeed, faith here has many aspects. Faith involves remembering, loving, and acting. The source and power of faith originates with God. God is the one who provides the strength and the ability to persevere. In order to grow in one’s faith, one must constantly recall all that God has done and then love God unconditionally.
