It has often been said in the U.S. that we are a nation of laws.  It seems we have a rule or law for just about everything, from mundane traffic violations to the more serious high crimes and misdemeanors.  Some are easy to follow and some prove difficult to follow.  Some laws seem grounded in common sense and some laws seem incomprehensible.  Some lead us to say, “This law needs to be repealed,” and sometimes we moan the lack thereof and lament, “there needs to be a law for this.”

Well before our nation was formed, God too saw the importance of laws and since the days of Moses we have had the Ten Commandments to follow and to guide our actions.  But today’s readings call us to do more than just obey the laws.  The readings urge us to teach the law to our children and our children’s children and to instill in them the importance of following God’s law. 

The command “to teach” may have a hidden meaning.  Think about it. Have you ever been asked to give a speech about a technical subject?  Were you fearful that someone would ask a question you might not know the answer to so you began learning your subject inside and out?  No doubt this extra time spent studying the subject matter enhanced your understanding and knowledge of the subject.  While this intensive studying has its benefits, is this the type of learning and teaching that God really intended or is there possibly a better way to learn and to teach the importance of following God’s commandments?  I think there is.  I believe in the axiom that actions speak louder than words.  I believe that our children and, for that matter, all around us, will learn more by watching and interacting with us as we live our faith, rather than for us to just talk about the importance of the following the commandments.

Lent is a time for discernment, a time for reflection and a time for meditation. So, during this Lenten season find some quiet time each day and ask yourself how God is calling out to you about how you living a life that follows the commandments and how are your actions demonstrating to those around you the importance and meaning these ten laws have on your life. Ask yourself what you have done and what are you doing, in your thoughts, words and deeds, to live your life always in alignment with the commandments.  Living our faith is so much more difficult than simply professing it; but, the personal rewards are so much greater for us; and, the positive impact it has on those we interact with speaks volumes about the importance of our faith and our relationship with God.  I believe this may be the type of “teaching” that God would want us to do.