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.
Jesus speaks to his listeners about the importance of the law given by God through Moses. That law remains holy and valid for the people of Israel, and much of it continues to guide us today—especially the Ten Commandments.
But Jesus does not merely repeat the law; he raises it to a higher level. He interprets it in a way that reaches beyond outward obedience. He demands that the law touch the core of our being. God does not desire grudging compliance with the law or only observing the minimum required by it. He wants his commandments written on our hearts and lived out fully with joy.
At the center of the law is love: love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus praises not only those who obey the commandments, but those who teach them and live them faithfully from the heart.
This Gospel leaves us with an important question to ponder during Lent: Do we experience God’s law as a burden, or do we find it to be life-giving—a path that leads us more fully into love?