The Commandments are Rules of Life

 

The law of the Lord is perfect.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, July 28th, 2023
Texts: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 13: 18-23 

Today’s first reading is about the commandments of God, they are the words of the kingdom. The commandments are rules of life for the children of God’s kingdom. Today’s Psalm speaks about the commandments. It says, “The law of the Lord is perfect; It revives the soul. The decrees of the Lord are steadfast; they give wisdom to the simple.”  

It is perfect because it contains all we need for salvation, which is the love of God and neighbours. The first four commandments are about the love of God. The remaining six commandments are about the love of our neighbours. The commandments also revives the soul. It revives the soul because living by it we are free of sins. It heals us of sins and restores us back to life. Sin is the cause of the death of the soul. The commandments are steadfast because they work for all ages. They give wisdom because they are rules of life. 

The psalm adds, “The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear; it gives light to the eyes.” They are right because they uphold human dignity rather than violating it. We are happy and follow the true path when we live by the commandments.  

What prevents us from keeping the commandments

Jesus Christ tells us in the gospel reading what prevents us from keeping the commandments. They are devil, tribulation or persecution and worldly cares. The devil does not allow the commandments stay in our hearts. This happens when we look at them as impossible. Hatred, prejudice or bias towards the heralds also prevents the commandments from staying in our hearts. Lack of perseverance in the  face of persecution or tribulation makes adherents fall back from keeping the commandments.  

Worldly cares are also another killers of God’s commandments. They take the time for study and meditation on the commandments. Scripture says, “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night” (Ps. 1:1-2). 

Prayer

God our Father, we thank You for the gift of Your commandments, may we find joy in observing them. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke