Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but he reminds us that there is much more to it. Jeff Ryan Miraflor, SJ, reflects on what we often miss when we think of law and rules in this week’s One-Minute Homily. Based on the readings for Sunday, February 16, 2020.
His law is love, and His Gospel is peace.
Hi, I’m Jeff Ryan Miraflor and this is my One-Minute Reflection.
Today Jesus’ got a strong thing to say about the law. He’s not here to change or abolish anything, but to fulfill it. We often have mixed reactions toward rules/laws. Some hate them, others adore them! Yet, the danger for all of us is we can think of rules/laws as the ends rather than the means to something greater.
Lovers of the law follow it to the T, but they forget the ‘why.’ Haters of the law complain of its rigidity or unjustness, and are blind to their possible good. Yet, both miss the bigger picture. Instead of obsessing over them, we must allow the law to lead us to greater love, freedom, and grace.
Laws should allow us to focus less on ourselves and more on God and others. If we’re following the law like we’re supposed to, we should end up loving like Jesus loved. This isn’t easy. Remember, our first love is for Christ, and then because of that love we follow his law.