“Be careful”. Oftentimes as a kid, my parents and
grandparents would warn me, “be careful”. “Be careful, the food is hot”, “be careful,
that object is sharp”, “be careful walking on that patch of ice, you might slip”, “be
careful with holding your baby sister, she is delicate”, “be careful with that
object, it can break easily”.
One of the most important lessons we are to learn in life is
to be careful. Be careful with your body, how you handle things, where you walk
so you don’t get hurt. Be careful with your words, lest you say something that
you shouldn’t and hurt someone with your words. Be careful, be mindful, make
extra effort to think about what you are doing.
As we practice being careful, we get better at it. One of
the reasons you have to be 16 in order to drive a car, is because 16 year olds
have developed a certain amount of carefulness. Because if you get in a car,
and you are careless with how you drive, you will seriously hurt, or even kill
someone.
Being careful with your words is important. Would you trust
someone with a secret, if they are careless with their words? No, because if
they are careless with their words, then they are likely to tell your secret to
those they shouldn’t.
In the first reading today, Moses is explaining to the
people that they are to observe the laws of God carefully. “Observe them
carefully,” he says, “for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and
intelligence to the nations…and take care 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."
Just as we are to be careful with our words, and careful
with our actions, and careful with delicate objects, we are to be careful about
keeping God’s commandments. We should not treat God’s commandments carelessly,
casually, or as though they do not matter. If something is precious, you handle
it with care. And God’s commandments are precious, because they come from God
Himself and they show us the way to live.
That is why Moses says in the first reading, “Observe them
carefully.” He does not just say to know them, or talk about them, or admire
them. He certainly doesn’t say, “let them go in one ear and out the other”. “Observe
them carefully.”
Why? Being careless has consequences. If we are careless on
ice, will slip and fall. If we are careless with a car, we can really hurt
someone. If we are careless with the commandments of God, that shows that we
don’t really care about the one who gave them.
Being careless with God’s commandments hurts our friendship
with Him. But being careful with them helps us grow in holiness. And helps
others to know about him as well. So today let us ask the Lord for a careful
heart: a heart that pays attention to His word, takes His commandments
seriously, and wants to please Him in all things. Because that is the kind of
carefulness that leads to heaven, for the glory of God and the salvation of
souls.
Trusting in God, who teaches us to walk carefully in His
ways, let us offer Him our prayers.
For the Church, that she may faithfully teach God’s
commandments and help all people to follow them with love and care. Let us pray
to the Lord.
For our leaders and all who make laws, that they may act with prudence,
justice, and care for the good of every human person. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all parents, grandparents, and teachers, who help
children learn to be careful in their words and actions, that God may bless
them in their work. Let us pray to the Lord.
For those who have grown careless in their friendship with God, that this holy
season of Lent may lead them to repentance and a new beginning. Let us pray to
the Lord.
For the sick, the suffering, and all those in need, that
Christ may strengthen them and surround them with loving care. Let us pray to
the Lord.
For the faithful departed, that they may be welcomed into
the joy of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: Heavenly Father, you have shown us the path of life
in your commandments. Give us careful hearts, so that we may love your will,
walk in your ways, and one day come to the joy of your kingdom. Through Christ
our Lord.
Amen.
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