Breaking the Word

3^rd week in Lent, Wednesday – 26^th March 2025 – Deut 4,1.5-9; Mt 5,17-19

Least or Greatest

Today’s Gospel passage is taken from the Sermon on the Mount that contains some of Jesus’ most challenging teaching. Jesus has declared that He has come to complete the purpose of the Old Testament, not to discard it. He further specifies that His listeners are to transcend to a higher level in understanding the law and their underlying meaning. Those who relax the commandments in the law will be called least in the Kingdom. Those who keep and teach them will be called greatest in the Kingdom. Here, Jesus is speaking of both persons – those who do and those who do not obey the law of Moses – are in the Kingdom of heaven. Nevertheless, He points out about one’s rewards or status in that kingdom. Up to Jesus’ time perfect observance of the Law was focused on external acts, as clearly exemplified by the Pharisees and scribes. However, Jesus shows that true observance must also be in the heart and mind. One can silently or secretly obey the commandments out of love for the Lord.

1^st Week of Advent, Thursday — 5^th December 2024 – Isaiah 26,1-6; Mt 7,21.24-27

Being Firm and Strong on the Rock

Both the readings speak about construction and destruction, solidness and security, entry into the city or into the kingdom of heaven. In the first reading, Isaiah continues to describe the coming Reign of the Lord as a strong city. Jerusalem is compared to a fortified city with walls around it and with large, heavy gates through which will come all those who are found worthy of entering.  Those who enter the gates of God’s city are the just. We can identify the just, mentioned in the First Reading, with those who do the will of our heavenly Father, mentioned in the Gospel.

New Jerusalem is a city built on a Rock. The restored remnant and the lowly have seen their holy city being attacked by their enemies. Isaiah promises that God will re-establish the city of Jerusalem as the city of peace and justice. God will bring about a great reversal of fortunes. The proud and haughty will be knocked off their pedestals and the lowly will be lifted up to take places of honour.  In this way, the reign of God will bring justice to those who have acted justly or who have been treated unjustly by others.