In today's gospel passage, we encounter one of the most prophetic of Jesus' words. In order to understand the reason for these words, we must first comprehend the fact that the disciples - like all other Jews - were expecting the arrival of the Messiah: the anointed one, the promised one of God. Given the fact that at the time, the Jews were being oppressed by the Roman empire, the commonly held hope was that the Messiah would free the Jewish people from their oppression.
In contrast to this way of thinking, Jesus explained to his disciples: Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets (Mt 5:17), as though he might have been in a position to overthrow the law makers and the prescriptions that they were enforcing. Instead, he explained: I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Jesus came to live among us in order to bring to fruition the Law of God (which was first given to us in the Ten Commandments) and the predictions put forth by the Prophets.
In seeking to fulfill the Law, Jesus sought to demonstrate the enduring love of our God, because the truth of the matter is that our God has always loved us, and every word that he has spoken is aimed at demonstrating the truth of his love for us. Today, ask the Lord to reveal the gift of his love, to fulfill the Law that has been planted in our hearts so that we in turn can demonstrate divine love in his name for the sake of others.
Have a great day.
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