A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 5:17-19:

Jesus said to his disciples:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
18 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.
19 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.”

Reflection: Love is the law.

It is very clear from the gospel passage above that the Old Testament including the laws of Moses matter to Jesus. Still, many scholars have already debated and some are still debating on the controversy regarding the attitude versus the words of Jesus regarding the law. While it is true that Jesus had several quarrels with the Pharisees and other religious leaders regarding the observance of the laws of Moses, He makes it clear that He is not abolishing the law but fulfilling it and He is exhorting us to follow even the smallest part of the law.

Let us remember that scholars point out that Matthew’s audience was comprised mostly of Jews and He needed to tailor His message to them. It is therefore important to understand the passage in relation to other verses in the New Testament. Reading from Romans 7:1-6, Saint Paul tells us that we, the followers of Jesus, have died with Him and therefore dead to the law. In Hebrews 10: 16, the author mentions a new covenant where the laws are put in our hearts and written on our minds.

With Jesus as the fulfillment of the law, our focus now is our relationship with Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). With faith, we are saved in Him and through Him. It is this faith that allows us to be aware of and to be obedient to His commands.

We died with Jesus and we are made new so we have a new relationship with God based on love which is the summary of the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40, Romans 13:8-10). In love, relationship matters more than rules. In love, everything is transformed including the law and the traditions. As Jesus has said, love is the greatest commandment.

*****

Everywhere there are thousands of laws and regulations to follow. Without these laws, there will be chaos and disorder. Yet even the Ten Commandments of the Old Testaments are hardly obeyed. Yes, only ten commandments but human beings are so stubborn or maybe forgetful as to break them most of the time.

People make laws with the best intentions of making society at large orderly and progressive and individual life easier and more comfortable. In the Old Testament, more than 600 precepts were adopted by religious authorities to be followed by all Jews so that they will be pure or holy in the eyes of God. The intention was good but these laws did not achieve their purpose and instead they became too burdensome especially for the poor sector of the Jewish society. Moreover, the very people who were supposed to be “models” of following these laws did so but in the most superficial manner with the unintended result of becoming hypocrites.

Jesus understands perfectly the purpose of these laws and He wanted them fulfilled. Yet He also sees the unintended effects or shall we say defects in their implementation. So He summarized the law and the prophets into two: love of God and love of self and neighbor. Briefly stated, love is the law. If there is love in our heart, we will obey the commandments and we would be called the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

*****

In the gospel reading above, we find a profound and inspiring call to embrace the fullness of God’s revelation in our lives. Jesus, the embodiment of divine love and truth, assures us that every word spoken by God through the Law and the Prophets remains significant and purposeful.

These verses are part of the Sermon on the Mount, a pivotal discourse where Jesus outlines the values and ethics of the Kingdom of God. To the Jewish audience of His time, the Law (Torah) and the Prophets represented the entirety of God’s instructions and promises. By declaring that He came to fulfill, not abolish, the Law, Jesus emphasized His role in bringing to completion the divine purposes revealed through the Old Testament.

Historically, Jesus lived in a period when adherence to the Mosaic Law was a core aspect of Jewish identity. The Law governed all aspects of life, from worship to daily conduct. The Prophets, on the other hand, were seen as God’s messengers, calling Israel back to faithfulness and pointing to future redemption. Jesus’ assertion positioned Him as the anticipated Messiah who would bring God’s redemptive plan to fruition.

Theologically, these verses underscore Jesus’ authority and the continuity of God’s revelation. Jesus did not nullify the Law; instead, He embodied its principles and prophetic promises. By fulfilling the Law, Jesus affirmed its divine origin and eternal relevance while also demonstrating its ultimate purpose—leading humanity to righteousness and a deeper relationship with God.

In our journey of faith, let us recognize that Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law does not diminish its value. Instead, it reveals its true essence—love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus invites us to live out these divine principles in our daily lives, not as a mere adherence to rules, but as a heartfelt response to God’s grace.

Consider the smallest letter and the least stroke of a pen, symbols of meticulous care and precision. In the same way, God calls us to pay attention to the details of our faith, cherishing every command and teaching. Each act of obedience, no matter how small, contributes to the tapestry of a life devoted to God.

As we practice and teach these commands, we become beacons of light in a world often shrouded in darkness. Our actions and words have the power to reflect God’s love and truth, drawing others towards His Kingdom. We are called to be great in the kingdom of heaven, not by seeking glory for ourselves, but by humbly walking in the footsteps of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law through His life, death, and resurrection.

In moments of doubt or struggle, let us remember that Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law is a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness. He accomplished what we could not, bridging the gap between our brokenness and God’s holiness. Therefore, let us hold fast to His teachings, confident that in Him, every promise finds its “Yes” and “Amen.”

Let our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of God’s Word. Let us embrace the Law’s enduring relevance, knowing that in Christ, we find its ultimate fulfillment. Let us live out His commands with joy and conviction, for in doing so, you honor the One who came not to abolish, but to fulfill.

May our faith be strengthened and our hearts inspired by the truth of Jesus’ teachings. May we shine brightly as a faithful disciple, reflecting the glory of our Savior who perfectly fulfilled the Law and calls us to follow Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.