Book of Deuteronomy 4,1.5-9.
"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.
Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. 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? "However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children.
Psalms 147,12-13.15-16.19-20.
Glorify the LORD, Jerusalem; Zion, offer praise to your God,
Who has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessed your children within you,
The LORD sends a command to earth; his word runs swiftly!
Thus snow is spread like wool, frost is scattered like ash,
The LORD also proclaims his word to Jacob, decrees and laws to Israel.
God has not done this for other nations; of such laws they know nothing. Hallelujah!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5,17-19.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
LAW-LOVE
"Whoever breaks the least significant of these commands and teaches others to do so shall be called least in the kingdom of God. Whoever fulfills and teaches these commands shall be great in the kingdom of God." –Matthew 5:19
We often view God's laws in a stupid, adolescent way. We see them as mere prohibitions or burdens. However, His laws are lifesaving insights into life. For example, we can learn that contraceptive marital sexual relations will undermine a marriage by causing alienation between the spouses and often divorce. We can learn this from God's law and use this revelation to protect and nurture marriage (Catechism, 2370), or we can learn this by having our hearts broken through many years of marital conflict. How many people have proven the truth of God's law by not following it, and thereby turned their lives into experiments that have failed miserably?
How precious is God's law! It is worth more than thousands of gold and silver pieces (Ps 119:72). It is a lamp to our feet and light to our path (Ps 119:105). Even the smallest part of a letter of God's law is to be cherished and lovingly obeyed (see Mt 5:18).
Observe God's law "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' " (Dt 4:6).
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