Daily Gospel Reflection for June 11, 2014

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

“I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them.”  Jesus coming does bring change.  Jesus’ coming does bring change.  But not in the sense of negating something already in place.  Rather, He comes to make complete, make full, all that the Old Testament stands for.  We absolutely need the laws of God. His laws, written on our very hearts, brings freedom and joy to our homes.

As Catholic mothers passing on the faith to our children, we understand the importance of this!  If we teach our children the commands of God, we fill His Kingdom with greatness. The opposite scenario brings chaos to heart, mind, family, and culture.  Whoever relaxes one of the least of the commandments, and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.  But he who does them and teaches them, shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.  No small responsibility for us parents!

And our children will sometimes associate laws with restrictions, not freedom. But over time, and usually after the suffering and adversity that come with wanting to break the law because it is seen as a burden, they come to the realization that living by God’s laws actually set us free.  God sent Jesus to complete our understanding of the laws of God which are full of His great love and mercy.  They form us into saints.  And saints are those who lived up to their fullest potential and who were free interiorly because their souls were so full of the virtues of faith, hope and love of God and neighbor.  They were free to be fully alive for the glory of God.  They followed Christ who Himself found joy and freedom in fulfilling His Father’s Will, not His own.

Ponder:

How do you view the laws of God?  How do you pass them on to your children?

Pray:

Dear Lord, I want more than anything to raise my children to know You personally and to know our Catholic Church in all its beauty.  Help me to be Your instrument, and to remember that they belong to You as Your children, and that You will provide for them always.

Copyright 2014 Cynthia Ann Costello