The Third Wednesday of Lent

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

We have been given many commandments by God, but in the end they boil down to those two commandments given to us by Jesus. We are to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, and love our neighbors as Jesus loves us. Whenever we break one of these laws, even in the smallest of manners we damage our relationship with God and His children. We add to the suffering of Christ’s Passion. We also show our ingratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross when we turn our backs on him to follow our own way. This is why it is so important to practice the virtue of obedience to God and the teachings of the Church. By aligning our freedom to God’s Will, we become more perfectly free and increase in holiness. We also sanctify ourselves whenever we proclaim and teach the truth to others. We do this best when we put the truth into practice in our lives. In this way, we become living gospels to all we meet.

Do we follow the commandments of God in both great and small matters? How are we bringing our wills into union with God’s Divine Plan? In what ways do our lives teach others how to live in accord with God’s commandments?

O Lord, help us to obey and teach your commandments through our every thought, word, and work.

Amen.