1 Kings 18:20-39,
Psalm 16: 1 -2a.4.5,
Matthew 5: 17-19 Full Readings
Fulfilling God's Law
Jesus in today's Gospel says, "Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish but to complete it" (Matthew 5:17). Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it and not even a little stroke will be removed from it until all things have taken place. In this way he responded to the Pharisees and Scribes who used to accuse Him of distorting the Law. Jesus fulfilled the law of God in a perfect way and in its truthfulness and invites us always to imitate him in doing so.
What is the Law of God? The Law of God as summarised by Jesus is to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strengths and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength.” And, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the ultimate fulfillment of the law of God. Therefore all that Jesus did and said were to fulfill the law of love and to show the Love which God has for His people. All he did was only intended for this purpose.
Jesus did not change the law but He was interpreting it in a new way in order to make people understand what actually entails the Law of God. Thus those who challenged Him didn't actually understand the Law. He was trying to correct them because the Law was mostly misused and used to dominate, overburden and oppress people. This was done in the name of the Law and of God. Jesus had to bring in a new understanding of the Law.
Jesus, while remaining faithful to the Law, gives it His own emphasis, often quoting the Bible itself. ‘My pleasure is in mercy not sacrifice’ (Hosea 6.6, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 9.13) gives a whole new dimension to worship and forgiveness. Putting love of neighbour on a level with the first commandment of love of God (bringing Leviticus 19.18 to the level of Deuteronomy 6.4, as in Mark 12.29) gives a new emphasis on the treatment of others.
More so, the insistence on the permanence of the bond of marriage as a law of nature (Mark 10.8, as opposed to Deuteronomy 24.1) gives a firm basis for the family. Perhaps most of all, it was Jesus’ awareness of the full meaning of what it is to be the Servant of the Lord God prophesied in Isaiah, that led to his act of perfect, loving obedience on the Cross. It was because of the Law that Jesus was crucified, "We have a law and according to this law, he must die" John 19:7. Jesus died because he fulfilled the law of God in it's truthfulness.
Brethren, we should also follow the example of Jesus; to follow the Law in its truthfulness. The Law in the modern world has been misused and disregarded and even some think that they are above the Law. As Christians we have to stand for the Law and put it in practice in order to promote justice. In doing this we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to interpret the Law of God and even civil law in its truthfulness.
This is because Jesus warns in the Gospel that anyone who infringes one of these commandments and teaches wrong ones will be the least in the Kingdom. Later in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus strongly explained this warning: “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). His message is clear: if you lead children or people who have less knowledge than you to sin, you put a stumbling block in front of them, which is a mortal sin and separates you from God for as long as you remain unrepentant. That's why we need the Spirit to help us interpret and execute the laws rightly. This same Spirit will enable us to challenge existing laws that do not bring God's love to others and respect human dignity. Do not be afraid as a Christian to challenge immoral laws. Jesus Himself did so.
On the other hand, when we teach the right law and practice, we have gained ourselves eternal life and we will conquer this world for Jesus himself promises: "But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” One does not necessarily need to be a teacher or catechist to teach others. We can teach others through our good examples. Parents have a special responsibility to teach their children to obey God’s commands. In the Shema it is written, "You shall keep these things that I command you today in your heart. Teach them to your children. You shall talk of them when you are sitting in your home, and when you are walking along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut 6:7). All of us are invited to be teachers and practitioners of the law of God for this is what will lead us to victory and conquering all the evil. In the first reading, Elijah followed the law of God and was able to bring fire over cold wood and water to prove that God is indeed the only God, putting to shame and conquering those who believed in Baal. We shall do the same if we fulfill the Law of God.
Reflect today on how faithful you have been to the law of God, how have you practiced and taught the right nature of the law of God not using it to oppress others? How have you challenged the existing laws of the society or church that do not bring love of God and promote human dignity? Are you the one infringing the bad law? Do you follow the law yourself? Pray that you may always be guided by the law of God.
Let us Pray.
Almighty Father, as we strive to fulfill your law in our lives, give us your Holy Spirit to always see law as to live in love and freedom and use the Law for your greater Glory. My Jesus, I glorify you and praise you, the new law of God. I am sorry for the times when I have failed to follow your commandments and especially for any times when I have misled others into breaking your commandments. Please forgive me for my past sins and lead me rightly so that I obey and teach your commandments always. AMEN.
Be blessed.
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