Scripture Readings for March 11, 2026

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Psalm 147: 12-13, 15-16, 19-20, Matthew 5: 17-19

I have often made the observation in this blog that the human condition hasn’t really changed from Jesus’ time to our own. I think this is important because my sense is we can write off scripture as quaint or pompous talk about things or situations long past and therefore of questionable use today. Personally I think scripture is amazingly insightful about human nature hence my argument about how similar a situation today seems to be like what a given reading is addressing.

So I think we have another example of this in today’s readings. In Matthew we have a little window into an argument within the Christian community at the time. How important are all the laws of Judaism for the Jews who believe in Jesus? Matthew records one group’s strong stance, “until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law.” We also know that historically most of the 600+ laws of the Torah aren’t even known to Christians today much less observed. So the Christian community over time came to see fulfillment of the Deuteronomic laws as something deeper than explicit practice. Perhaps most simply illustrated by dropping the practice of circumcising infant boys.

This discussion seems appropriate in the midst of Lent when we often adopt lots of rules, or at least practices, which help us “celebrate” the season. I’m not against prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent as a means for personal renewal. But it’s important to understand why we take on these practices if they are to enrich our spiritual life. I think too often rules are used in the wrong way. The rules get used as defenses against things we’re afraid of.  

That what’s going on historically in today’s gospel passage. A faction of Jewish Christians is afraid of losing their traditions and it shows up in Matthew’s statement by Jesus about details of the law. Deuteronomy is worried that without detailed boundaries the Israelites will not succeed in the land God is giving them. Today, bishops in the Catholic Church are arguing about whether divorced Catholics can come to the sacraments or women can be priests. Many people in the United States are outraged that too many people are coming into this country without the proper legal approvals. I don’t like it when cars stop in the middle of local traffic to let people cross the street where there is no crosswalk.

However, the bible is not meant to be a rule book. It is meant to help us understand what God is all about. Deuteronomy is saying that God is trying to take care of the Israelites so they will survive in a new land and will be respected by tribes that surround and outnumber them. It is a practical message that reveals a God who cares for and is close to these people. A fact that the Israelites should take to heart and pass on to their children. Matthew wants Jewish Christians to recognize the Jesus is here to fulfill everything the Torah offered them, a God who lives in everything they do in their lives.

For us, these readings suggest that God is present in the concrete details of our lives. We may not be looking for a homeland but we are looking for meaning and worth in our lives. If we pay attention to what makes up our daily life, the demands, the responsibilities, our fears and our hopes we will find a God who cares and helps in ways that will probably be surprising. We will find a God for whom any rules, any practices are just a way to begin a deeper relationship of love.