Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash
Today’s first reading, from Deuteronomy, tells us how we should uphold the laws and customs that we have been given and put them into practice in our daily lives. Rather than shying away from these responsibilities and forgetting about them, this reading tells us to keep these in our hearts and teach them to our children and their children as well. If you do this, the passage explains how we will be seen as wise beyond our years and role models to all that look up to us.
Another reading, from the Gospel of Matthew, tells us basically the same message. “Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.” This passage explains what our goals should be for this Lent- living in the image of God and spreading his word to everyone.
This Lent, we are called to uphold the foundations of our faith and teach them to others so that when the time may come, we will be ready to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven as the best person we can possibly be along with those that we have helped along the way.
To conclude this reflection, I leave you with this excerpt from the first reading, “And now, Israel, listen to the laws and customs which I am teaching you today, so that, by observing them, you may survive to enter and take possession of the country which Yahweh, God of your ancestors, is giving you.” We should always remember to uphold these laws and customs in order to become the best person that we can possibly be this Lent.
–Patrick, Class of 2022
Music: Kathrin by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/430-kathrin
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
