''You Are Responsible": A Reflection on the First Reading for November 4th, 2018: Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Deuteronomy 6:2-6

2 that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them; that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD; 5 and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart;

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​At first glance, Moses’ words to his people seemed stern and commanding. They did not apply only to the Israelites, however, but to their descendants as well. I was expecting at any moment to read what the heavy consequences would be for disobeying the law of Moses.

However, as I re-read the passage, I could sense God’s immense love for His people. Chosen as they were, He had promised them a “land flowing with milk and honey” where they could multiply greatly.  He delivered them from their slavery in Egypt so that they would soon enjoy the blessings of the promised land. They were no longer slaves, but would soon have a place to call their own.

My husband and I often stress to our children that with every privilege comes a great responsibility. This is what the Lord was teaching the Israelites. Knowing how the Israelites were, God decided that before they could enter the promised land, they needed to be reminded of the responsibilities that come with being a people of God. As beneficiaries, they needed to learn to manage themselves in the Lord’s way, teaching their children to have that ‘fear of the Lord,’ that is, to live righteously.
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This past weekend, I attended the Assembly of the People of God led by our Archbishop, Anthony Mancini. This was a call for we, the people of God, to live out our calling as His disciples. As with the law of Moses, we are being called to love God with all our heart, soul, and might. We are now on a journey to our promised land (heaven) and we have the responsibility of spreading His word and of taking care of His people. We have God-given gifts and charisms which we need to use to help His people, nurture them, and equip them to be disciples and followers of Jesus as they embark on their own journey to the promised land. They too, by the grace of God, will do as we do to bring others to heaven.

"As with the law of Moses, we are being called to love God with all our heart, soul, and might."

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We are privileged to know God, to love Him deeply, and to be close to Him—even more than the Israelites ever got to be. This is a great blessing!
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Our church is in a crisis now. We, the survivors, the remnants (we are called various names), need to be strong and unafraid. The apostles in the upper room were afraid, leaderless, and terrified. Maybe we are feeling these things, too. However, just as the apostles who received the Holy Spirit were empowered with strength and courage so they could start the church, we too, with the power of the same Holy Spirit and by our ‘yes’ can do our work of evangelization to build up a stronger church. ​

​Liz Venezuela

To watch the livestreamed sessions from the Assembly of the People of God, click here