Gotta run get ready to read at the noon Mass. I have the 1st reading today, and I just read over it. It’s pretty topical. It’s from Deuteronomy:
Moses said to the people:
“Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin upon you,
you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?”
Only it modern language, we would speak of Israel as the one outstanding democracy in the Mideast, and therefore a nation worthy of emulation, instead of speaking in terms of the statutes and decrees.
And then we would launch into a vehement debate over the whole thing about God having decreed that the people of Israel should “enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you,” and do so in perpetuity.
And to think, some people think the Bible has no relevance to their lives. Of course, nowadays plenty of people don’t think anything that goes on elsewhere in the world is their concern…
Having delivered that mini-homily, gotta run now. Maybe I’ll see you at Mass.
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