Laws are important. Lawlessness breeds chaos and any
such state of affairs is a sure recipe for disaster. Important though
they are, laws are means to an end. When we lose sight of their ultimate
goal, laws easily become what the French realist novelist, Honore de
Balzac, describes as “spider webs through which the big flies pass and
the little ones get caught.”
In
our First Reading, Moses sets before the people of Israel laws which
would govern their way of life in the land they would possess. He tells
them, “See, just as the LORD my God has charged me, I now teach you
statutes and ordinances for you to observe in the land that you are
about to enter and occupy. You must observe them diligently, for this
will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they
hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise
and discerning people!’” (Deut. 4:5-6).
Jesus,
in our Gospel text, reaffirmed the Law of Moses but redirects the focus
of his audience to the ultimate goal of the Law. He said to his
disciples, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you,
until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke
shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished” (Mat 5:17-18).
Reading further, Jesus would summarise the foundation and ultimate
purpose of the law and prophets as love of God and neighbour (cf. Mt.
22:34-40).
Note: The picture insert from google.
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