Today’s readings are about the law. Moses spoke to the fledgling Hebrew peoples, offering them the law as a way to live together. Jesus did the same for his band of disciples, telling them he had “not come to abolish the law…” And so it has been, from age to age. We hold the memory of what we believe, making rules and laws to follow, passing these down to our children and theirs. Canon Law guides us as a Christian community. Dioceses, parishes, and Catholic Charities offer guidelines meant to bring order so that we can care for one another.

Until today… Today there is so much polarization that it seems we cannot even agree on the social Gospel, much less how to care for the poor, the sick, or the immigrant. We argue over this law or that, forgetting people are not hungry for the law. We all long for someone to know our name and treat us with dignity and respect. We see this every day in the eyes and hearts of the people we serve.

In the end, Moses tells us what is important: “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” (Deut 4:9). Can we take Moses’ words to heart?  It’s not just the law we need to share with our children. These are, many times, driving them away. Instead, can we let them know what we have seen?  Tell the stories of reaching out to people in need?  Ask our children what they have seen? What they long for? Then, maybe then, God’s commandment to live in love and care for one another will not slip from our memory.

Dr. Marti R. Jewell is an Associate Professor Emerita of pastoral theology.  She does research, training, and writing in the areas of ministry and pastoral leadership.