Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent

• First Reading – Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9: Moses teaches the Israelites the statutes and decrees that the Lord has commanded him, with the aim that they observe them in the land that they will occupy. Moses stresses the importance of carefully observing these laws, as they will demonstrate the Israelites’ wisdom and intelligence to other nations, and he also warns them not to forget what they have seen and learned, but to pass it down to future generations.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 147: Jerusalem, praise your God who strengthens your gates and blesses your people. His command sustains the cosmos, His laws unique to Israel, a privilege not given to others.
• Gospel – Matthew 5:17-19: Jesus tells his disciples that he has not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. He emphasizes that even the smallest part of the law will not pass away until all things have taken place, and those who break the commandments and teach others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven, while those who obey and teach the commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Matthew 5:17

The Mass readings for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent, featuring passages from Deuteronomy and Matthew, highlight several key themes central to the Lenten journey and the broader Christian life. These themes include:

• The Importance of God’s Law: Both readings emphasize the significance of God’s commandments. In Deuteronomy, Moses instructs the Israelites to observe the statutes and decrees carefully. In Matthew, Jesus affirms the enduring relevance of the law and the prophets.
• Obedience and Teaching: The readings call for not only personal obedience to God’s laws but also the responsibility of teaching these precepts to others. Moses tells the Israelites to pass down their knowledge to future generations, while Jesus underscores the value of obeying and teaching the commandments for greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Wisdom and Witness: Moses suggests that by observing God’s laws, the Israelites will demonstrate their wisdom and intelligence to other nations, serving as a witness to God’s greatness. This theme is about the witness value of living according to God’s commandments, showcasing a life transformed by divine wisdom.
• Continuity and Fulfillment: Jesus’ assertion that he has come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it speaks to the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. It highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament law and prophecy in the person and mission of Jesus Christ.
• Faithfulness Across Generations: The emphasis on not forgetting the works and laws of God and passing them down through generations speaks to the theme of faithfulness and the transmission of faith over time.
• The Unchanging Nature of Divine Law: Jesus’ statement that not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all is accomplished underscores the unchanging and eternal nature of God’s commandments.

These themes are particularly relevant during Lent, a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation that invites Christians to deepen their understanding and practice of faith, drawing closer to the essence of God’s law and its fulfillment in Christ.

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and explaining to them that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This statement is significant because the Law and the Prophets were considered to be the foundation of Jewish faith and belief, and they were considered to be unchangeable and permanent.

In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the importance of the Law and the Prophets and how they are still relevant and significant to his teachings. He states that anyone who breaks the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, anyone who obeys the Law and teaches others to do the same will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.

The gospel for Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commandments. It is not enough to simply believe in God or to have faith in him. We must also obey his commandments and teach others to do the same. The Law and the Prophets were given to us as a guide for how we should live our lives, and they are still relevant to us today.

The gospel also stresses the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This means that the teachings of the Old Testament are part of God’s plan for salvation.

The gospel for Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent reminds us of the importance of obedience to God’s commandments and the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. As followers of Christ, we must strive to obey his teachings and live according to his commandments, just as the Law and the Prophets instructed the people of Israel to do.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to fulfill the law and the prophets. Help me to honor and obey your commandments, and to teach others to do the same, so that we may all inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Word on Fire: Fulfill the Law

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on how Jesus, in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent, declares His intention not to abolish but to fulfill the Law. Criticizing the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and institutional corruption, Jesus remains a faithful Jew, embodying the law. Barron emphasizes that Jesus aimed to transform, not discard, the core elements of Israelite religion into the Church’s practices and sacraments. Contrary to seeking spirituality without religion, Jesus presents Himself not as an abstraction but through the concrete, institutional presence of the Church, fulfilling rather than dismantling religious tradition.

What date is Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

The next date is Wednesday March 26, 2025.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

The Mass readings for Wednesday March 26, 2025 are:
First Reading – Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9: God’s commands for a life of wisdom
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 147: Praise for God’s blessings on Jerusalem, glory and gratitude
Gospel – Matthew 5:17-19: Fulfillment of the law and the prophets

What are the main themes of the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

The main themes include the importance of God’s Law, the call to obedience and teaching, the wisdom and witness that comes from following God’s decrees, the continuity and fulfillment of the law in Jesus Christ, the transmission of faith across generations, and the eternal nature of divine law.

Why is the law important in the readings for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

In these readings, the law is portrayed as a source of wisdom and a guide for living a life that is pleasing to God. Observing the law not only demonstrates obedience to God but also serves as a witness to other nations of God’s greatness. Jesus emphasizes that He came to fulfill the law, highlighting its enduring significance.

How does Jesus view the law in the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

Jesus views the law as something not to be abolished but fulfilled. He stresses that every part of the law is significant and will remain until all is accomplished, indicating the law’s unchanging and eternal nature.

What does Moses warn the Israelites about in the first reading for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

Moses warns the Israelites not to forget the statutes, decrees, and events they have witnessed God perform in their lives. He emphasizes the importance of teaching these laws and experiences to their children and future generations to ensure the continuity of faith and obedience to God.

How can Christians today apply the teachings from Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

Christians can apply these teachings by committing themselves to understand and observe God’s commandments more deeply, teaching these values to others, especially the younger generation, and living out their faith in a way that serves as a witness to the wisdom and love of God. Reflecting on how Jesus fulfills the law can also deepen one’s appreciation for the connection between the Old and New Testaments.

What role does teaching play in the readings for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

Teaching plays a crucial role as both Moses and Jesus emphasize the responsibility of believers to pass on the commandments and teachings of God to others. This not only ensures the preservation of faith across generations but also promotes a communal understanding and practice of God’s laws.

How does the message of Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent fit into the overall journey of Lent?

The message fits into the Lenten journey by encouraging reflection on personal and communal adherence to God’s law, the importance of teaching and passing on the faith, and the fulfillment of the law through Jesus. This time of year calls for a deeper commitment to living according to God’s commandments and preparing for the celebration of Easter, which marks the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises.