A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (5:17-19)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, 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.
Therefore, 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: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s Gospel, Jesus makes a striking statement: ““Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
In our modern, fast-paced life, and often secularized world, we tend to see “laws” or “rules”, as obstacles to our personal freedom. I know I have, and maybe some of you too; like making a U-turn, or a Left turn, where it is against the law. When we hear about the Commandments, we might think of them as an old, outdated checklist. It is old! But it is not, a checklist!
Jesus tells us, that not the smallest part of the law will pass away. Why? Because the Law is not about restricting us; it is about protecting us, so that we can love God, and neighbor properly.
I believe, many people today, and I will even risk to say that, too many people today, live facing two extreme dangers. First—the belief, that since God is love, it doesn’t matter what we do. The second is—the tendency, to focus only on external actions, while holding on to a cold heart.
Jesus came to fulfill the Law, by example. Teaching us, that external obedience is not sufficient—one must also make, an internal transformation. Meaning, that we are not just to, “not kill”; But to remove anger from our hearts. Not just to, “not steal”; But to be generous with what we have. We can’t do that alone, it is with His grace, that we are able to do it, fully.
During one of Pope Francis’ midday Angelus addresses, he said the following about this Gospel: “Accepting the law of God in your heart,” means learning to master one’s desires, “because you cannot have everything you want, and it is not good, to give into selfish, and possessive feelings.” And he added; “Of course, Jesus knows that it is not easy, to live the commandments in this, all-embracing way. That’s why he offers the assistance of his love. He came into the world not only to fulfill the law, but also to give us his grace so that we can do the will of God by loving him and our brothers and sisters.”, he said.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus calls us, to be “great in the kingdom of heaven”, by obeying and teaching the commandments. Today, let us not just “obey” out of fear, but let us “fulfill” the law, by letting love, motivate our actions.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: Reflect on today’s Gospel, and the words I shared with you, from Pope Feancis. Then, with prayer, call on the Holy Spirit, and ask for the grace, to not just follow the rules, but to let your heart be filled, with the fullness of God’s love.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
