The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Matthew 5:17-19

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)

Jesus did not hold back in his criticism of the religious leaders of the day and their apparent strict adherence to the law. In fact, Jesus accused them of all types of wrongs claiming that their application of the law actually held the believers captive and subjected them to a severe lifestyle and outright hypocrisy. Comparing this to today’s gospel reading, it seems that what Jesus says today contradicts His actions and criticism of the religious leaders.

Actually, this is not the case at all. The law, since the beginning of time has been about love, total love of God and love for our fellow human beings. Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of the law, showing us the true love of the Father, and also showing us how to truly love the Father. He showed complete and unconditional love for the people, even those He criticized or found in sin, and He showed us how to love one another. Jesus fulfilled the law in His love.

This is the law: to love God completely and to love one another. All the rest points to this.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2006 The Way, The Truth, The Life