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.
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Moses told the people that the wise and the intelligent will keep God’s law. The wise and intelligent know that keeping God’s law leads to happiness and freedom. But Moses also knew how easy it was for people to forget that God’s statutes and decrees are a blessing. So he said, “Teach them (God’s statutes and decrees) to your children and to your children’s children.”
We don’t always welcome the law of God. We sometimes see it as restrictive. But, for Moses, the Law of God is life-giving and gives us the freedom to do what is right and just. In that vein, Jesus reminded us that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He was the perfect observer of God’s law, the law of love. He shows us the way to abundant life and absolute freedom.
We should keep God’s commandments because we love God, who gave them to us so that we might find happiness in our worship of him. We should keep God’s commandments out of love for our neighbor, who benefit greatly when we don’t lie, cheat, or steal. And then, we must also teach God’s law to our children and our grandchildren so that the next generations will not forget the blessing of following the way of love. Following God’s law gives us the freedom to love as we have been loved by God.