I have not come to abolish the law or the prophets

Readings: 1^st:1 Kg 18:20-39; Ps: 16; Gos: Mt 5:17-19

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is Wednesday of the tenth week of ordinary time. Today’s passage continues the Sermon on the Mount. Christ surprised his hearers with the statement of his mission.

He defined and described the purpose of his mission, first, by revealing what his mission is not. He insisted: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

Indeed, Jesus has not come to terminate the Law, but to bring it to a higher level. The vision of Jesus helps us to see the Law in a new way.

The law is not bad. It helps us to maintain order both in our spiritual and physical life. Without it, we shall have much chaos.

However, the Law should not be used to oppress the innocent or the poor. Also, what matters much is the Spirit of the Law and not just it’s letter.

That is to say, I have to observe it because I am convinced that it helps me organize my life and my society, and not simply as a matter of only fulfilling the rule.

So, the commandments or the law are given to help us to be loving, respectful, just, merciful, and to care for God’s creation.

If we violate them, (especially natural laws that sustain our universe), without respect, we end up completely disrupting the system. Eventually, we will pay, or suffer the consequences of our actions and insensitivity.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!