The family is the first school for children. Even if we send them off to a school at some age, we as parents are called to be the primary teachers of our children, especially when it comes to the faith. This is job that never ends. How important do you think this is? See what God has to say about it in today’s first reading from Deuteronomy 4.
In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus says that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. The commandments of God were not negated by Jesus. He came to show us how to live out the commandments perfectly. But our obligation to imitate Him does not end at living out God’s commands. It is not enough just to obey. Listen to Jesus’ words. “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” We must obey and TEACH.
I hear so often these days (to the point of making me nauseous) that we Catholics and Christians need to just worry about our own sinfulness and stop trying to “force” our religion on others. True, we must tend to ourselves; clean up our own backyard and obey God’s commandments. But if we only do this, we miss the second part of the equation. We must also TEACH others about God’s laws. Why? Because that is what Jesus tells us to do. Anything less is being remiss in our duty as Christians.
Father, give us the grace to obey your commandments, to live them out as Jesus taught us. And give us the courage to teach your laws to all who have ears to hear. Amen.
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