The essence of God's law....

The message of this weekend’s Gospel is for us to understand the fundamental value of Jesus calling us to have a heart that is forgiving, faithful and trustful. This is the wisdom of God that comes as a gift from God. It is not mere human wisdom. In bringing the law of God to completion, Jesus calls us to live in love, a love that completes us and makes us whole because it is God’s love. God calls us to a radical way of living. We are called to be more than just moral: God calls us to be virtuous. We become virtuous by faithfully choosing to do good. Naturally we are not perfect, but God calls us to reflect on how we live and to understand what He desires for us. Such reflection can lead us to insight that will help us to live better and be more virtuous in the future. Therefore, by reflecting on our experience in the light of faith we grow in wisdom.

In today’s Gospel Matthew emphasizes the close relationship between Jewish Law and the teaching of Jesus. Here Jesus explains that He has not come to abolish the Law and the prophets but to bring them to completion. He tells us that the Law still has its force and will not pass away till it has achieved the purpose for which it was given. Jesus gives us the new law, namely the law of love. In the first reading Sirach affirms that God knows every human action. As a wise teacher he urges his listeners to make the right choice in life. They have the commandments to guide them. In the second reading Paul reminds us that God has many riches for those who love Him and tells us that the rulers of this age failed to recognize God’s wisdom in Christ. True wisdom however is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

Today Jesus is sharing with us the wisdom of forgiveness, faithfulness and trustfulness. Let us pray today and everyday that we might be able to forgive, to be faithful and to be truthful. But let us also remember to first choose to love and be loved.

Blessings,
Fr. Dantus Thottathil

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