Abolish
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The theme from yesterday’s Gospel reading about forgiveness is also found in today’s Gospel reading about the fulfillment of the law. The Law and the prophets that Jesus is speaking of were foundational to the Jews. They believed, rightly, that God gave these to them as a special blessing to them. But they had not lived up to the Law, and according to the Law, that was not acceptable. If today God still expects His people to live worthy lives—to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), then how are we to accomplish that?
We have to get past the misunderstood notion that we fulfill the Law by never sinning. It’s too late for that—we’re sinners. There is another way, however, and this is the way God intends. Jesus Christ fulfills the Law perfectly. He is “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). If we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, as our Catholic Faith offers us so many opportunities to do, then we fulfill the Law in Him (and He in us). If we set our hope for pleasing God in never sinning, we are wasting our time. If we set our hope in uniting ourselves to Christ who is perfect, we will obtain the blessedness that is rightfully His. Consider in prayer how we can grow in union with Christ.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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