I remember when I was a kid and we went to the beach for the first time. My dad clearly instructed us all about the beach.
He said:
– Don’t climb too high on the rocks, they’re slimy and you might fall and break your neck.
– Don’t swim too far in the ocean, because the current may not let you back or sharks may eat you.
– And, don’t dig too deep in the sand, because you may fall in head-first and get buried.
He said,
– Don’t drink the ocean water, because it’s dirty and you’ll get sick.
– And especially, don’t stay out too long in the sun, because it will fry your skin.
Then one day, my Grandpa told me that the Beach is a fun place to be. He said that God gave us the beach for enjoyment and relaxation. I thought, “that sounded like just the opposite of what my dad said.”
But then, Grandpa added, “Now also be sure that you always remember everything that your dad taught you about the beach – IF you want to live. And then you can enjoy that beach and feel like a king.”
Jesus taught us that if we truly Love God and our Neighbor, all will be well for us. But then He added, “Never, ever forget what God taught us about life through Moses and the Prophets, IF we want to live. It sounded just like Grandpa.
You see, the world is a dangerous place, just like the beach. But if we follow God’s rules and teach them to our children, Jesus says, we can live like kings too.
And that’s exactly what God wants for us!
jmp
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Scripture Reference:
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
First Reading Dt 4:1, 5-9
Moses spoke to the people and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. 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? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?
“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”
Responsorial Psalm Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Gospel Mt 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
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