First Reading: Dt 4:1. 5-9; Psalm: 147. R. v. 12a; Gospel: Mt 5:17-19

STANDING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Jesus in the gospel of today (just like Moses) taught his followers that the law of God has lasting validity and should be obeyed. God had a purpose of creating laws. These laws of God are binding to all. Jesus emphasised the permanence of God’s law by stressing that even the tiniest part of it must be fulfilled. “. . . not an iota, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” This was why he came.

Jesus came to accomplish the law because something was not right about how the law was interpreted and understood. So Jesus came to put things right. And this reveals the kind of person Jesus is. Jesus is not the God who believes that nothing good can come out of us. But the God who understands that we are capable of making mistakes which was why he came to help us. Jesus did not come to completely pull down all the teachings of the rabbis and the religious leaders of his time. But to put things right where they might have erred in their understanding and interpretation of the law.

This understanding and approach of Jesus is very instructive. We are all called to bring about change in any flawed process. If we found ourselves in a flawed system, we should not promote the status quo by consent and silence. We should rather look out for practices in that system that contravene or contradict justice and right. Those wrong practices are what we are called to combat and remove so as to promote God’s love and justice on earth. It is by doing this that we can accomplish or fulfil the will of God on earth.  

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, make us promoters of love and justice in our world. Amen.