3/26/2025 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reading: 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.”
3/26/2025 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 5:17-19
When we hear the word law, many of us instinctively think of rules, restrictions, and regulations. In the days of Jesus, the Jewish people lived under the weight of the Mosaic Law — a detailed set of commandments that governed moral, civil, and ceremonial aspects of life. Yet here, in Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus makes a powerful, liberating declaration: He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.
This statement is both comforting and challenging. Let’s reflect on its deep implications for our lives today.
Christ’s Mission: Fulfillment, Not Erasure
At first glance, some may expect Jesus, the harbinger of grace, to set aside the burdensome requirements of the Law. However, Jesus clarifies that God’s commandments were never meant to be discarded. The Law reflected God’s holy standards and pointed humanity to the need for a Savior.
By fulfilling the Law, Jesus perfectly embodied every commandment, every prophecy, and every moral principle. He lived a sinless life — not one jot or tittle was neglected. In His fulfillment, the Law’s demands were met in entirety, and its ultimate purpose was revealed: to lead us to Him.
This fulfillment means that we no longer strive under the oppressive weight of legalism. Instead, we embrace a relationship with Christ, who empowers us to live righteously, not out of obligation, but out of love.
The Enduring Relevance of God’s Word
Jesus emphasizes that not even the smallest letter of the Law will disappear until everything is accomplished. God’s standards do not change with culture, time, or trends. In a world that often promotes relativism, that is, the idea that truth is subjective, Jesus reminds us that God’s Word is constant, unwavering, and eternally relevant.
This truth encourages us to anchor our lives in Scripture. It isn’t about selectively picking the parts that suit us or discarding those that challenge us. Instead, it’s about humbling ourselves before God’s wisdom, trusting that His ways are higher than ours.
The Call to Obedience and Teaching
Jesus goes further: how we respond to His commands matters. Those who disregard His teachings and lead others to do the same will be considered least in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, those who practice and faithfully teach His commands will be called great.
This is a wake-up call. As believers, we are not only responsible for our own walk but also for how we influence others such as our family, friends, community, and even strangers. Are we living lives that reflect God’s righteousness? Do our words and actions encourage others to follow His ways?
But notice, this is not a call to perfectionism. It’s an invitation to obedience rooted in love. Jesus isn’t asking us to mechanically check off rules but to let His teachings transform our hearts, flowing naturally into our daily lives.
Living the Fulfilled Law Today
In Christ, the Law is not abolished but alive. Through the Holy Spirit, God writes His commands on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Instead of external pressure, we have internal guidance. We are free from condemnation, yet called to holiness.
Let this passage inspire us to take God’s Word seriously. Let it challenge us to live out our faith with integrity, leading others closer to Christ by example. Let us remember: obedience is not about earning God’s love but it’s our response to the love we’ve already received through Jesus, the One who fulfilled it all.
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