Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

God gave His people the Ten Commandments (not all those extra 'laws' that the Pharisees added to them even though their intentions were probably good initially), so lets remind ourselves of them:

1. Love the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image.... you shall not bow down to them or serve them.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not kill.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
10. You shall not covet anything that is your neighbours.

The Ten Commandments are ten principles that lead us toward true happiness and a loving relationship that God desires to have with us. The first four commandments look at our relationship with God. The other six with the relationships we have with those around us. They are gathered together in our Lord's words, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ (Luke 10.27). However, we have to accept that we need our Lord's help to obey these commandments, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we too can say "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4.13)

This Lent may we reflect on our shortcomings, those we now regret and those we need to work to abolish, asking the Holy Spirit to help us as we draw closer to our Lord.

Holy Spirit, power of God,
guide us in our Lenten reflections
to be honest with You and with ourselves
as we acknowledge our faults and weaknesses,
and our good intentions.
Help us to clear the slate and start again,
and give us the strength keep
to our commitments,
so may we draw closer to You.
Amen.