Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
We have heard Jesus say many times, “I have not come to abolish the law or the prophets…but to fulfill.” Specific laws have changed. We are not bound by many of the Jewish laws in the Old Testament. So, what does Jesus mean then?
It means that the Law and the Prophets—the Old Testament, were inspired and written for our salvation and the hope of the coming of the Messiah. Jesus is telling us that he is that hoped-for Messiah, the one to come who would free us from sin and death. Jesus also says that God’s law in the Ten Commandments still holds supreme and everlasting truth for salvation. He has not come to overturn God’s laws but to enforce them in a new way, not for punishment but for life.
We must also take seriously, now that Christ has solemnized the law he has fulfilled, what he says next: “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.” We are still bound to obey, and there are consequences. If we do obey, out of love for God, we can also be assured blessings: “whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections