Faith Daily | 23 March 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 486

Lord God, our Redeemer,

who heard the cry of your people

and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery:

free us from the tyranny of sin and death

and, by the leading of your Spirit,

bring us to our promised land;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 5: 17-19

17 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,* not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever breaks* one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Pamela Davey

Jesus knows that laws and dogmas are not goals or ends in themselves – not how some religions/churches see themselves! However, Richard Rohr tells us that Jesus’ moral teaching is very often a description of the final product rather than a detailed process for getting there.

I did read about this passage but found it hard to understand. The following I found easier to grasp, and more relevant for me.

When you can weep, when you can identify with the little ones, when you can make peace, when you can be persecuted and still be joyful . . . then you’re doing it right. When you act this way, “The Kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). Jesus doesn’t seem to be concerned about control, enforcement, or uniformity. His priority is proclamation, naming, and revealing. Then he trusts that good-willed people and a reliable God will take it from there. (Richard Rohr)

FINAL PRAYER: Richard Rohr

God of Law and God of Love,

get me started, hold on fast to me,

but also keep me going in the right direction,

which is always toward you.

Amen