Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Cyril, whose life is model of staying true to the Lord in adverse times. The readings for the day affirm St. Cyril’s life and are a challenge to us during this Lenten season to return to what our faith teaches us. The first reading from Deuteronomy (which loosely means the book of the Law) is a prologue from Moses to the people of Israel before he promulgates the law. Moses told the people to observe carefully “statues and decrees” of the Lord. (Dt 4:5) He does this in part to remind the people of Israel what happened to those who had built and worshiped the golden calf. Moses wanted to send God’s chosen ones into the promise land knowing that they would be exposed to people, cultures, and gods that would be foreign to them. He knew they would be tested. The reading closes with him admonishing the people to be on guard, remember and teach their children that which they had been taught. Psalm 147 reinforces this theme by declaring, “He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation.” (Ps 147:19-20a) The refrain from this praise psalm reminded the people of Israel and now us to be grateful for God’s statutes and ordinances. It is when people live within the boundaries God has given that their lives most truly glorify the Lord.
In the Gospel of Matthew today, Jesus refers to his mission as one that is to fulfill the teachings of the law and the prophets, not to abolish them. Like the first reading, the gospel reminds the disciples and us to truly live these commandments; those that fail to do so will be considered the least. “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19)
Jesus came to fulfill or to put in effect; in the context of today’s gospel it means Jesus came to accomplish or make true the teachings of the law and the prophets. St. Cyril became the Bishop of Jerusalem in the middle of the fourth century. His ministry was embattled from the start by the churches struggle with the Arian heresy, which denied Christ’s divinity. His example of living and teaching the truth bore him many hardships. In the end, Cyril’s trust in the Lord and his courage to stand up for the teachings of the Church helped the Church overcome the heresy in the Second Council of Nicea in 381. It is from this council we received the final version of the Nicene Creed.
Today let us examine our lives with an eye towards embracing the commandments in all their intensity. So often we want to look at the tough stuff in our lives and deal with it when a more convenient time appears. Lent is a time of turning away from sin and turning back toward living the truth. At Mass, before the reading of the Gospel, we make the sign of the cross on our forehead, lips and chest. Perhaps use this gesture today and pray, “May the Lord be on my mind, in my heart and upon my lips.” In this way, may we remember to live the truth that we have been taught. May our witness, whether in word or deed, reflect the law of love that is in our heart. Amen.
-Michael Montgomery