Subject: Daily Gospel Reading - Wednesday, March 6, 2013

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Weekday Gospel Reflection
Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent

Jesus said to the people

17 “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. 19 Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."

Matthew 5:17-19 - World English Bible

In these few verses from Matthew 5, Jesus addressed the controversy of his preaching. Implicitly, his enemies accused him of breaking the Law, both in word and deed, for he did things that were novel. At the time, ancient culture esteemed the old and looked askance at the new; the scribes and the Pharisees defended the tradition of the elders through their rulings, while the Lord seemed to flaunt that tradition. In his defense, Jesus defended his interpretation of the Law (5:17-18) and later accused the religious leaders of creating barriers to the Kingdom through their edicts (see Matthew 23:1-4). Matthew 5:19 put that fight into perspective. The Pharisees who said one thing and did another, breaking the Law in small ways and teaching others to do so by example would be the least in the Kingdom, if they arrived at all. But the one who preached the Good News by word and deed consistently, that person would have a great reputation under God's reign.

Are you a consistent Christian?

Daily Readings for the Third Week in Lent
Studies for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
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God bless you and yours,

Larry Broding