From the responsorial psalm: “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:17-19)
Jesus said to his disciples: “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.”
As Jesus speaks to the disciples, he emphasizes continuity with the law and the prophets as the one who comes not to abolish but to fulfill. The words of Jesus do not supersede God’s commandments revealed in the Old Testament, but he opens up to all as the incarnate Word the path to the kingdom of heaven. Until everything the law points to is fulfilled, as Jesus says, “not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law.” Jesus calls us into a genuine commitment to live out God’s commandments daily in our words and actions by following him.
God, help me be attentive today to your commandments. The day has a way of obscuring obedience to your word, or let me be more clear with myself: I tend toward succumbing to the temptation to shut out your will and do things my way and think things my way. I ask you for the grace to identify the threshold of disobedience to your commandments so that with you at my right hand I will not be misled. Let me remember the words of the psalmist today: “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” Teach me your paths, God, and guide me in your truth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.