In ancient scrolls, wisdom unfurls,
Not outdated, their relevance whirls.
Old Testament's voice, in Jesus finds choice,
Full meaning and purpose, in Him, we rejoice.
Not a letter will fade, not a stroke will be swayed,
Till all is accomplished, the foundation is laid.
Emphasized by the Savior, with divine behavior,
Obedience to God's commands, a taste we should savor.
Great in heaven's realm, they take the helm,
Who practice and teach, with God at the helm.
Living faith personally, guiding others intentionally,
In the kingdom of heaven, they shine essentially.
Words and deeds connected, sincerity reflected,
'Walk it as we talk it', integrity is expected.
Examine our lives, cut through like knives,
True righteousness thrives, in inward strives.
Not just outward law, but a heart without flaw,
In the mirror of the soul, let us draw.
A reminder profound, in His grace we are found,
In love and obedience, let our lives be crowned.
REFLECTION:
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. (Matthew 5:17-18)
The Old Testament laws and prophecies are not outdated or irrelevant, but are brought to their full meaning and purpose in Jesus. Jesus emphasizes that not even the smallest detail of the Law will disappear until everything is accomplished. This underscores the importance of obedience to God’s commands.
Those who practice and teach God’s commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. This highlights the value of not only living out our faith personally, but also guiding others in their spiritual journey.
There is a strong link between what we say and what we do. We are called to ‘walk it as we talk it’, demonstrating sincerity and integrity in our lives.
Let us examine our own lives and attitudes, reminding us that true righteousness comes from the heart and not just from outward observance of the law.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come before You, acknowledging the timeless relevance of the Old Testament laws and prophecies. We are grateful that they are not outdated or irrelevant but are brought to their full meaning and purpose in You.
We are humbled by Your words, emphasizing that not even the smallest detail of the Law will disappear until everything is accomplished. This underscores the importance of obedience to God’s commands. Help us to live in obedience to Your word, and to value Your commands above all else.
We pray for the strength to practice and teach Your commands. May we be called great in the kingdom of heaven, not for our glory, but for Yours. We understand the value of not only living out our faith personally, but also guiding others in their spiritual journey. Grant us the wisdom and courage to lead others towards You.
We recognize the strong link between what we say and what we do. We are called to ‘walk it as we talk it’, demonstrating sincerity and integrity in our lives. Help us to live authentically, reflecting Your love and truth in all that we do.
Finally, we pray for the grace to examine our own lives and attitudes, reminding us that true righteousness comes from the heart and not just from outward observance of the law. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT THE LAW
Matthew 5:17-20
Gospel | Matthew 5:17-19
Gospel Acclamation
Teach me your paths, my God, and guide me in your truth.
17 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. 18 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. 19 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.”
Background:
Matthew 5:17-19 is a part of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Bible. These verses are a part of the Sermon on the Mount, one of the major discourses of Jesus in Matthew. Here’s the passage from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
In these verses, Jesus is addressing his disciples and the crowds, clarifying his relationship with the Law (the Torah) and the Prophets (the Nevi’im), two of the three major sections of the Hebrew Bible. He asserts that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This means that Jesus came to complete the law and the prophecies of the Old Testament, and to establish a new covenant between God and His people.
The Gospel of Matthew was likely written in the late 50s or early 60s AD. The author is traditionally believed to be Matthew (also called Levi), a tax collector who became a disciple of Jesus. The original audience may have been the church in Antioch of Syria, which included both Jewish and Gentile Christians.
These verses have been interpreted in various ways by different Christian traditions and scholars. Some see them as affirming the continued importance of the Old Testament laws, while others view them in the context of Jesus’ broader teaching on love and mercy. Regardless of interpretation, these verses emphasize the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the teaching of these commands to others.
Learning Lessons:
Matthew 5:17-19 offers several important lessons for us:
Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them1. This teaches us that the Old Testament laws and prophecies are not outdated or irrelevant, but are brought to their full meaning and purpose in Jesus.
Importance of Obedience: Jesus emphasizes that not even the smallest detail of the Law will disappear until everything is accomplished. This underscores the importance of obedience to God’s commands.
Teaching Others: Those who practice and teach God’s commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. This highlights the value of not only living out our faith personally, but also guiding others in their spiritual journey.
Integrity and Sincerity: There is a strong link between what we say and what we do. We are called to ‘walk it as we talk it’, demonstrating sincerity and integrity in our lives.
Righteousness Surpassing the Pharisees: Jesus states that our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. This challenges us to examine our own lives and attitudes, reminding us that true righteousness comes from the heart and not just from outward observance of the law.
These lessons remind us of the enduring relevance of God’s commands, the importance of living out our faith with integrity, and the call to guide others in their spiritual journey. They challenge us to strive for a righteousness that comes from a genuine relationship with God, rather than just outward compliance with religious rules.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
