Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
When the Jewish people reached the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert, they were given a set of laws to live by in their new home. In addition to the 10 Commandments that God had already given, God provided them with additional norms of worship and justice to observe. These laws were not given out of a sense of God’s need for control. Instead, God gave the Jewish people these laws as a sign of his great favor. He showed them how to live in peace with each other and in peace with God. These precepts were a gift of right living, safety and comfort.
In Deuteronomy, we read that Moses said this about these laws:
“Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?” (DT 4:6-6).
When Jesus came, he was more than observant of the law. He was the law. He is the norm by which all of us will be judged. Jesus did not come to abolish, but to fulfill – and to show that his loving relationship with God is how we must love God. And his caring relationship with his neighbors is the way we must live and the norm that will be used when we are judged and held accountable.
Lent, after all, is the attempt to set ourselves right with God – and we do that by abiding according to the new normal, who is for us, Jesus Christ.