Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus puts to bed the idea that somehow he came to abolish the laws formulated by God in the Old Testament or that He somehow replaces the old laws. Instead he tells us, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” So what does that actually mean? Jesus wants us to live our lives not only in compliance with the Mosaic law, but also with the spirit of the law. To fulfill the law means He is here to complete what is written. We know that God gave us his only Son to save us from our sins. He gave us his son out of the pure love He has for humanity. It is the love conveyed by God that fulfills the commandments. To obey the laws is to love God. This is why disobeying the laws injures our relationship with God. Jesus tells us that, “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.” When we try to justify our sins and transgressions, we are teaching others that it is okay to sin. Not only do you damage your relationship with God, you also cause others to damage their relationship with God. He wants just the opposite. He wants us to bring the kingdom of God to others through our actions and our practices. “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God, help me to obey your commandments.

Give me the strength and courage I need to respect your law.

Give me the grace to lead others to your will.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon