The season of Lent points us to a time of repentance, fasting and preparation.  It is a season of obedience where we are forced into self-examination and reflection. 

Today’s readings provide incredible insight into what that commitment really looks like for us in our lives today.

In our first reading from Deuteronomy, we find Moses giving detailed advice in regard to God’s statutes and decrees.  “Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations…….. “,  for in so doing they would be pointing the people of those nations to the Lord, our God.  Moses further refined the focus of this directive by reminding them to “take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”

As with everything else we find in God’s Word, that advice was much more than just some commands for the people of Israel as they journeyed through the desert on their way to the promised land.  God was speaking directly to us.  During our self-reflection of Lent, we need to ask ourselves if we are truly following this advice, or rather this directive from God.  Are we carefully, regularly studying God’s Word and teaching it faithfully to our children?  Are we living our lives so that we might be an unmistakable evidence pointing to our almighty God?

The Responsorial Psalm reminds us of all that the Lord has done and continues to do in our world.  As we continually count our many continual blessings, we are reminded again of our obligation to let our lives continually point to God. 

In John’s verse before the Gospel, we are taken back to how important are God’s Words.  They are indeed the secret to Spirit and life – everlasting life.  That message is not for just a portion of the Bible – such as the New Testament – but rather it is for the entire Word of God.  That seems to reinforce the fact that Moses’ directives to live our lives to point to God was just as much for us as it was for the Israelites.  And to further emphasize the importance of all of God’s Word, in today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that “not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law until all things have taken place……”

So, as we ponder the incredible gift of salvation during this season of Lent, we need to consider our own individual commitment to knowing God’s Word and to living our lives to point others to Christ.  Is that commitment truly what we live for and are we earnestly on our guard to remain focused upon using our lives to point to Jesus?

Dear Heavenly Father, I look to you to help me in my weakness.  Help me to remain committed to delving into your Holy Word each and every day.  Help me to stay focused upon cleansing my life and using it to point others to you.  Forgive me when I have so often neglected this reason for my existence.

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.