Please read this passage before reading this homily.
What nation has statutes and decrees such as this whole law God set before us? Before we think of ourselves a great, noble and wise nation, we should consider what makes a great, noble, and wise nation. It is not the size of our armaments, the ability to take on multiple wars at the same time. It is not in our politicking which often does good for the wrong motive and bad for the right reason. It is not in the size of our personal bank accounts or in the popularity we enjoy or the reputation we have. It is in loyalty to the one God who made us.
The book of Deuteronomy has the people poised to enter the Promised Land. It was written closer to the time the people were going into exile. From what has happened the author seems to be saying. “Why did you not listen to the warnings proclaimed by the prophets and the contents of the law? Why did you not see this coming?”
The book also was to encourage the Israelites to return to fidelity to God. The God of the Exodus is also the God who brings back from Exile. The repentant will return. Each individual in each nation has to repent. You must repent and I must repent. For God and for Jesus, the law is the same. Jesus phrased it as what you did or did not do for others you did or did not do for him. God puts great stress on the poor nameless and powerless orphans, widows, and strangers.
Today, in this Lent we are poised on the edge of entering or reentering into proper relationships with God through Jesus. How well have we recognized Jesus in the practical politics of everyday living in our neighborhoods and workplaces?