Gospel Reflections - Matthew 5:17-19 - March 15, 2023, Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Gospel Reading:
Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.

I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,

not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter

will pass from the law,

until all things have taken place.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments

and teaches others to do so

will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.

But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments

will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

Reflections:

As a Catholic, the Gospel of Matthew 5:17-19 reminds us of Jesus' profound teachings and the importance of following God's laws. In this passage, Jesus says that he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them.

It is important to note that Jesus refers to both the Law and the Prophets because they are interrelated. The Law provided guidance on how to live a moral and just life while the Prophets reminded people of their responsibilities towards God and their neighbors.

By saying that he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, Jesus teaches us that we should not only comply with the letter of the Law but also understand its deeper meaning. We should allow the Spirit to guide us towards fulfilling the Law, which is love.

Furthermore, Jesus emphasizes that even the smallest part of the Law should be upheld because they are all interconnected. Every commandment and every law is important in God's eyes, and so we should make it our goal to live in accordance with them.

As Catholics, we are called to reflect on these words of Jesus and to renew our commitment to follow God's laws. We should aim to be faithful followers of Christ by living out His teachings in our daily lives. Through our actions, we can show others the love of God and how it transforms us into better people.

May the Holy Spirit guide us as we strive to fulfill the Law with love, compassion, and mercy towards our neighbors.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, and for the teachings he bestowed upon us in his gospel. Today we reflect on his words in Matthew 5:17-19, where he proclaims that he has come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

Lord, grant us the wisdom to understand this message and to live our lives in accordance with your divine law. May we always strive to follow the commandments and uphold the values of righteousness and holiness that Jesus taught us.

We pray for the strength to resist the temptations of the world and to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced with adversity or persecution. May we be a shining example to others of your grace and love.

Finally, we ask for your guidance as we seek to live out our faith in the world around us. May we always remember that every action we take, no matter how small, has the power to bring us closer to you or to lead us astray.

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

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