Tuesday, June 7, 2016

10th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 08-06-16

1 Kings 18:20-39 / Matthew 5:17-19

A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Generally, it is understood that the purpose of the constitution is for the good of the country or organization.

Hence, to change the constitution is no light matter. If that is the case, then to abolish the constitution is a very grave matter indeed, and the consequence will be chaos and havoc.

In the gospel, Jesus said to His disciples: Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.

Probably the reason for saying this was that His disciples were thinking that Jesus was starting a revolution against the system.

More so for those who were already not happy about the religious system at that time, they were looking forward to some radical change.

And with Jesus teaching with authority, they could be thinking that He would be the one to lead them to a revolution and a radical change.

So Jesus had to tell them solemnly that till the end of time, there will be no change in the Law and its purpose must be fulfilled.

And that is what Jesus is also telling us - that His teachings are to guide us to live a life that is centred on love and charity.

Yet, we must also keep to the discipline of His teachings so that we can experience true freedom.

True freedom is not to break from the Law but to keep it. Because true freedom is about keeping the ways of the Lord so that we can live a life focused on God.

May we keep to the teachings of Jesus and help others do the same.