Today’s gospel from Matthew (Matthew 5:17-19) tells us that Jesus ascends a mountain and gathers his disciples to teach them. Moses before him brought God’s word to the Israelites from a high mountain. Now, Jesus teaches as the New Moses. He does not abolish what the great patriarch taught; he brings it to fulfillment.

Lent gathers us again to listen to the Sermon on the Mount. Sublime promises of a Kingdom are made; our God is gracious and near. But this part of the Gospel reminds us of little things, “the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter,” the small steps, the “least commandments” we must keep to enter the Kingdom of
heaven.

This is a season—our reading reminds us—for remembering that small things like a cup of cold water, a visit to the sick, feeding someone hungry, clothing someone naked, speaking a “word to the weary to rouse them” are important commandments of God.

Yes, Lent calls us to think great thoughts and embrace great visions of faith. But the law of God often comes down to small things, and the greatest in the kingdom of God are the best at that.

What small step do you want me to take today, O Lord?

Let me be small enough, humble of heart and mind

that I can see another’s need, not my own.

What can I do to help the neighbor I meet,

my neighbor made in your image?