If I were to sum up what the readings are telling us today, is that we should stop looking at externals but see and feel the internal grace of the Holy Spirit moving within us. Through His eyes we are able to see the wisdom behind the ten commandments which orders our lives towards the Lord our God. We no longer need stone carvings of it or books for that matter for they are written on our hearts.
Hence an example of moving from the external to internal movement of the Spirit; we see why it is no longer just the act of committing adultery but a man commits it just by thinking lustful thoughts. By that same token we understand why looking at nude pictures of men or women may not be sinful in itself but can lead to internal turmoil because of our concupiscence and thereby causing us to sin. If the Spirit prompts us to look away or close our eyes then we should follow. Obedience paves our way to fidelity to His Will for us in all areas of our life. We can then act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord our God.
Holy Spirit Lord, move in me this and everyday of my life. Amen
First reading
2 Corinthians 3:4-11
The new covenant is a covenant of the Spirit
Before God, we are confident of this through Christ: not that we are qualified in ourselves to claim anything as our own work: all our qualifications come from God. He is the one who has given us the qualifications to be the administrators of this new covenant, which is not a covenant of written letters but of the Spirit: the written letters bring death, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the administering of death, in the written letters engraved on stones, was accompanied by such a brightness that the Israelites could not bear looking at the face of Moses, though it was a brightness that faded, then how much greater will be the brightness that surrounds the administering of the Spirit! For if there was any splendour in administering condemnation, there must be very much greater splendour in administering justification. In fact, compared with this greater splendour, the thing that used to have such splendour now seems to have none; and if what was so temporary had any splendour, there must be much more in what is going to last for ever.
Gospel
Matthew 5:17-19
I have not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to complete them
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
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