In today's first reading, Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Moses reminds the people of Israel to respect the law and to cherish the greatness of its nation as one privileged in having God so close to it: "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.....Observe [these laws] 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 statues and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?"
The author of Deuteronomy is speaking to us today, as well as to the Israelites. We, too, have been given laws and decrees that are just and wise. How carefully do we observe them? We listen to the news each night and, inevitably, are face to face with individuals who despise the law, scoff at laws, and, most likely without realizing it, put themselves above the law. The question is: Do I, do you, do the same? Do I, do you, live as though God's commandments or laws handed down by our ancestors, by the founding fathers of our nation, are obsolete and stupid! Do people observe our observance of law and say that we are "truly...wise and intelligent" persons? In knowing us, do people realize that we are privileged to have God close to us and we close to God? If not, why not? What might you or I do to draw closer to God, to know God's intimacy?
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