On March 12, 2023 I was invited to talk to our confirmation class, mostly high school students. I admire their willingness to ask questions, which I believe disturb them and cause them to think how would I answer them according to the teaching of Christ thru the Catholic Church. For them, those questions seemingly intrigue them because they struggle to understand. Those questions pertain to their faith, gender identity and the role of the Saints in their lives. I have given them scriptural texts and the stance of the Church on a particular issue in order to guide them to comprehend according to moral and Catholic religious belief.
Today’s scriptural reading invites us to discern that there are laws we need to follow and accept; however, we often approach things according to the letter, meaning to say, we become legalistic rather than understanding and accepting God’s laws and how to take them sincerely in our hearts.
From our first reading, the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses spoke to the Israelites. “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.” Moses reminds them that keeping God’s commandments is also the promise of life and taking the Land the Lord is giving. This is how we would receive the satisfaction of our desire to live with Him and enter into His kingdom.
Today’s Gospel reading comes from St. Matthew. Jesus is saying, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish the law but to fulfill.” We believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Father’s promise of salvation from the Old Testament through the New Testament. Jesus manifests this by raising the relationship between God and His people by fostering a relationship of love and humble service. This fulfillment becomes a reality by His perfect example.
Personally, I am far fetched in matters of doing God’s will. That is because of sins and weaknesses bringing me away from the Lord. Hence, I am not perfect. Every day I strive with God’s help to be good and better. I would say then that what I can do is to concentrate on doing what I can, using His grace that I may persevere and be faithful. I am again called to be the best I might be. I want to make this season a time to rediscover, refocus, be renewed and re-centering on God rather than being sidetracked by negativity and despondency.
Let us make this season a grace-filled time to amend ourselves encountering more deeply the love of God and sharing the love with others as well. This is what Jesus wants for us to fulfill this law of love.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
