March 11, 26 – Wednesday, 3rd week of Lent: Forget not to Remember

Daily Divine Word:

March 11, 26 – Wednesday, 3rd week of Lent: Forget not to Remember

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

The book of Deuteronomy consists of a series of speeches given by Moses to the Israelites. The first reading presents to us one such speeches of Moses that was delivered prior to entering the promised land. Moses call people to adhere to active obedience to God’s commandments.

Forget not to remember: The people stand on the threshold of the promised land and Moses exhorts them ‘not to let these things slip from your memory.’ Moses admonishes the people not to forget how they got to the promised land. God led them, he delivered them from slavery, sustained them in the desert. Remembrance is gratitude. Persistent remembrance of God prevents from going away from him. Lent is an occasion to sit down quietly and remember when we had the strong sense of presence of God, where God worked powerfully in our lives; these are landmark occasions that reiterate that God is active in our lives.

Teach the next generation: Remembering the greatness of God is meant for teaching the future generation so that they may live and enjoy the blessings of God. Passing on the law to the children is an important responsibility. The covenant provided identity to the people in bondage. The conventual laws assured security and prosperity. Obedience to the law ensured wisdom, abundance of life and intimate relationship with the Lord.

Jesus Fulfils the Law: Jesus emphatically claims in the gospel that he has come not to abolish but to fulfil the law. Jesus did fulfil law, he shared life with people (John 10:10), he gave prosperity to people – healed the sick, lame and broken-hearted, he established an everlasting relationship between people and his Father in heaven. Importantly, Jesus deepened the law, calling for heart-centred obedience rather than superficial compliance. Jesus emphasized the love of God and neighbour rather than the lists of dos and don’ts.

Our Takeaway

1. Persistent remembrance of God prevents from going away from him. Lent is an occasion to remember, where God worked powerfully in my life; where did I experience actively the presence of God in my live?

2. Teaching God/law to next generation is an important responsibility. Passing on God is our identity, wisdom, security and prosperity.

3. Jesus deepened the law, calling for heart-centred obedience rather than superficial compliance.

Wilson SVD