REFLECTIONS TODAY
The Law and the Prophets are two of the three major parts of the Hebrew Bible. These two parts were already established in Jesus’ time and in the time when the New Testament was written. Jesus knew very well the beautiful teachings found in the Law and the Prophets. He practiced such teachings. In this sense, he has fulfilled what the Law and the Prophets teach. The scribes and the Pharisees also knew these same teachings. However, they failed to practice what the Law and the Prophets teach. The challenge, therefore, is to put into practice the teachings. The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven is whoever “does or obeys and teaches” (poiēsēi kai didaxēi) the commandments. To teach the commandments without doing them is not enough. The fulfillment of any good teaching is in doing. Do we fulfill God’s words by the very life we lead? As Christians, do we truly practice what we teach? What particular Christian values do we truly practice nowadays? FIRST READING • Dt 4:1, 5-9 Moses spoke to the people and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today? “However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).