Daily Catholic Lectio. Wed, 6 Mar 2024. Simple beginning

Daily Catholic Lectio

Wed, 6 March 2024

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9. Matthew 5:17-19

Simple beginning

Jesus instructs that a disciple could begin simply to reach greatness in the kingdom of heaven.

The laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations surround human life. Human persons relate to the laws at three levels: (a) Disobeying the laws; (b) Obeying the laws; and (c) Fulfilling the laws.

For example, someone is driving the car. She sees a red light in front of the signal. Instead of halting the vehicle, she moves on. She disobeys the traffic law. When someone else halts the vehicle at the signal, he obeys the law. When someone halts the vehicle when the signal is green to allow a child or an elderly person to pass the road, that person fulfils the law. He keeps in mind the ultimate end of the law, i.e., the wellbeing of humanity.

Jesus relates to the law at the third level. In every circumstance, he looks for the ultimate goodness that is implied in the law. He moves from the letter of the law to embrace its spirit, or soul.

For the disciples of Jesus, it is enough that they at least obey the law. Obedience to the law is the simple beginning of their life as disciples.

In the first reading, Moses narrates to the people of Israel how the law gives them a new identity. The law becomes a sign of God’s relationship with the people. The laws were given not to curtail the freedom of the people but to encourage them to grow in freedom.

The gospel reading invites us to obey every law; every law invites us to move towards our neighbours.

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‘The laws make us move towards others; they make us get rid of our selfishness.’ (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 47)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy