10 July 2022 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say,‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.
From Deuteronomy 30:10-14, NRSV
As he approached the end of his life, Moses wanted to encourage the people to follow the Law. He wanted them to understand that this Law was not imposed to make life difficult for them but rather to give them life. He also wanted them to realise that the Law which had been given to them by God was a great gift that was not too hard for them to access. He told them that the Law was in fact very close to them – in their hearts and in their mouths. They would have heard the words read aloud regularly and by following them they would remain close to God. For us as Christians, the Mosaic Law came to its fulfilment in Christ – the Word of God.
- Why do you think Moses needed to speak to the people in this way?
- What are the laws by which we are called to live our Christian lives?
Be aware of the life-giving choices you make today – choose life!
