MATTHEW 5:17-19

“I HAVE NOT COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW, BUT TO FULFIL IT.”

Jesus appears expounding his position on the Law and the Prophets. This expression, referring to the whole of the Old Testament, does not refer to the endless interpretations that the Jews gave to the law over time, falling into a multiplicity of meaningless precepts. Jesus himself appears in this chapter of Matthew’s gospel, reinterpreting the law when he says, “You have heard that it said…, but I say to you…”

Listening to Jesus, we can deduce that those interpretations are not the point. The Law and the Prophets will reach their fullness in the New Covenant that God makes with us in Jesus.  In this, we must not be aware of the law, but only try to follow Him, trying to learn and live from love. Let us ask ourselves: What is the concrete action that Jesus invites us to take in relation to the law?