Today's Reflections
Mt 5:17-19
[Jesus said to his disciples,] 17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection:
Not to abolish but to fulfill. Jesus says that he has come to fulfill the law or the prophets. He has come to bring out their real meaning. He observes and lives what the law and the prophets demand. Jesus is not creating a new law or giving new guidelines and regulations. He is bringing out the true spirit or essence of God’s commandments.
We sometimes have our own personal and self-serving interpretations of God’s Word and commandments. We often explain and quote God’s Word and commandments to justify our misguided ideas or find excuses for our wrongdoings. Hence, Jesus needs to remind us of the real meaning of the commandments.
Jesus situates this meaning in love. God’s Word and commandments are given because of love. Whatever God says or does is out of love. Thus, the law and the prophets can be summarized in one word—love. If we love God, we do not take the Lord’s name in vain. If we love God, we keep holy the Lord’s day. Because of love, we respect our parents, other people, and their property. Because of love, we do not destroy life or other people’s good name.
This is the love that Jesus comes to fulfill. This is God’s love that Jesus comes to reveal. The way to God is love, and loving God is keeping God’s Word and commandments.
Find out whether you still know by heart God’s Ten Commandmentsand the commandments of the Church.
Which do you find most difficult to keep?
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