Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Many times, we read in the gospel where Jesus takes little notice of the Pharisees’ complaints that he and his followers do not obey the Sabbath law of not picking the wheat to eat or Jesus’ curing a sick person. Now Jesus says to his disciples, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” After much reflection on all the words that Jesus speaks about law, I realize that there is a distinct difference in types of laws.

   Jesus is not interested in minutiae: how we wash dishes, how many candles are on the altar, how much money we give in the collection basket. No, Jesus’ focus has always been on people. Whatever the laws--ten commandments, works of mercy, two great commandments—Jesus is focused on how we care for ourselves and other people. For Jesus, it is not just about obeying laws; it is about a metanoia—a change in our lives because of spiritual conversion.  

   Centuries before Jesus, Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy, counsels us to “observe them (the laws) carefully, for thus you will give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations.” When we obey what Moses gave us and Jesus fulfilled, we are restored and transformed to live the Covenant.

   We don’t obey God’s laws for the sake of being obedient. We obey because the commandments help us to curb our selfishness. We obey because the commandments help us to show respect to our God and to each other—we call this social justice. Jesus encourages us to live more love than legalism, more mercy than sacrifice.  

   Our prophetic heritage does not just encourage us, but demands that we live social justice. St. Ignatius’ followers, the Society of Jesus, form, preach and live their apostolic preferences from Jesus’ way of life:

• Spiritual growth—nurturing our own relationship with God
• Working with the excluded—not allowing ourselves to imbibe the prejudice
and hate toward people of another faith tradition, color of skin, economic
circumstances, sexual orientation, politics 
• Journeying with the youth of our time—youth who are bombarded by drugs,
social media that lead to self-loathing and aberrant ways of behavior.
• Caring for our common home, the earth, by guarding its plant and animal life
and by not using its resources selfishly.

Yes, living a life of mercy is a full- time job! But we are not alone. Psalm 16 assures us: “You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.”


Give Us Faith Lord
Dan Schutte—You Tube