23rd of March

Gospel text

(Mt 5,17-19): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «Do not think that I have come to remove the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to remove but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or stroke of the Law will change until all is fulfilled. So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom of heaven».

The Application

Jesus is inviting us to be faithful to the commandment of love and be compassionate in our approach. Even though we don’t understand all the nitty-Gerties of the contemporary life, we need to believe and learn to look beyond. Jesus is explaining to

His contemporaries, that their approach to the Law and the prophets, though not necessarily wrong, but their narrow way of looking and interpreting the Holy Scriptures, don’t help them to grow.

Jesus does understand that it takes time to understand better everything that happens around us. A difference or a change upsets us and very often man rejects it. Jesus comes to help us to understand his words and deeds, as the fulfilment of the prophets and the law.

We Christians today are invited to put the word of Jesus into practice and to always remember the beautiful story of the people of Israel, our salvation history where God has accomplished so many wonders. May our lives be a life of grace and gratitude. Let us bless the Lord.

Action of the day: Remain open to the newness.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

Fr. Vicenç GUINOT i Gómez

(Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain)

Today the different religions are highly respected. They all express man's quest of transcendence, of the great beyond, of the everlasting realities. And yet, in Christianity, plunging its roots in Judaism, this phenomenon is the other way round: it is God Who is in quest of man.

As Saint John Paul II reminded us, God wants to get closer to man. God wants to address him his words, to show him his face for He is seeking closeness with him. This becomes a reality with the people of Israel, people chosen by God to receive his words. This is Moses' own experience when he says: “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?” (Deut 4:7). And, even then, the psalmist says «He proclaims his word to Jacob, his statutes and laws to Israel (Ps 147:19-20).

Therefore, Jesus, with his presence, abides by God's wish to get closer to man. This is why He says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Mt 5:17). He comes to enrich us, to enlighten us, so that men come to know God's true face and may enter in closeness with him.

In this way, to ignore God's suggestions, no matter how insignificant, involves a very paltry knowledge of God that, in turn, involves being considered as small in the Kingdom of Heaven. Saint Theophilus of Antioch said: “For God is seen by those who are enabled to see Him when they have the eyes of their soul opened: for all have eyes; but in some they are overspread, and do not see the light of the sun.”

In our prayer we are aiming to faithfully follow the indications of our Lord. Thus, we shall have a greater closeness with him and, therefore, we shall be considered big in the Kingdom of Heaven.