June 12, 2019

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19
Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them, but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change, until all is fulfilled.
So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

Reflections
“I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill them.”
Jesus clarifies that he comes not to abolish the law but to ful­ fill it or bring it to completion. The ten commandments and some other laws are still valid.
Jesus does not encourage violation of laws or tinkering with them. The other name of keeping the commandments is obedience. Obedience to the Word of God is an important trait of a Christ. It is the hallmark of Christian discipleship which is communitarian.
As belonging to a communi­ ty of faith living the beatitudes, each disciple must obey the laws that keep the community in order. He/she must believe that they come from God. Each Chris­ tian must equally pay attention to its details.
God’s words cannot be fol­ lowed in an abstract way. Obe­ dience should be shown in some tangible ways, like teaching others to do the same. We know more about the laws when we go over the whole discourses of Jesus, especially about the Last Judgment, when he enumerates the corporal works of mercy like sharing food to the hungry and taking care of the needy.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019