Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A

Readings: Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37

How it was said… but I say this to you…

The Gospel reading today invites us to look at the Letter of the Law with the eyes of Love. Dear friends, as we read today’s Gospel, one thing becomes very clear; Jesus has come to fulfil the Law and not to abolish it (Matt 5:17). What does this mean? It means that Jesus is enhancing the flavour of the Law and gives it a new and radical meaning.

Jesus says to his disciples (and ultimately to us), that “if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). So it is very clear from these words that Jesus is trying to make a distinction between the observation of the Law by the scribes and Pharisees and his disciples.

So what is this distinction? The scribes and the Pharisees were the excellent followers of the Law. They were very careful not to break the letter of the Law, lest they offend God. They not only did observe the law but also imposed the Law on other Jewish people and made them follow it to the letter. As a result of this, if one or the other failed to observe the Law, he or she was condemned and titled ‘sinner’ and was banished from the society as impure. And, as it turns out, there were so many of these ‘banished sinners’ in Jesus’ time that the ‘pure’ people had more laws (!) regarding the treatment of these ‘impure’ people. No wonder the scribes and Pharisees were opposing Jesus when he associated with these ‘sinners’!

But Jesus takes a clear view of the purpose of the Law. He clarifies the meaning of the Law not at the level of ‘observation’ but at the level of ‘life’. The Law was given so that we have a fruitful and happy life. Following the Law should lead to fulfilment in life and not become burdensome. Following the Law should encourage mutual upbringing and not mutual condemnation. Following the Law should encourage virtue and not sinfulness. No wonder Jesus begins to examine and explain the essence of the Law!

For Jesus, the Law is not legalistic but mercy. For him, the Law is not for condemnation but for guidance. For Christ, the Law is to fulfil one’s life and not degrade or label someone as sinner and impure. Therefore, Jesus tells, “You have learnt how it was said… but I say this to you.” Jesus brings this Law to the life of the people and integrates it ‘into’ the life. Law is not something that I ‘just’ need to observe but need to ‘live’.

Let us read today’s Gospel with this insight dear friends and see how it makes sense. As Catholics, we too can become blind followers of the Law and begin condemning people for not ‘observing’ the Law. How often have I come into the Church and have received communion, without having reconciled with my brother and sister? How often have I participated in the Eucharist, with anger in my heart? How often have I gone into the confessional and have confessed my sins relating to me and God and forgotten about the harm that I have caused my neighbour?

Let us examine our own conscience today before pointing the finger at others. Let us ask the grace of God today to lead a life ‘guided’ by the Law. Let us ask God to be with us today to lead our lives according to God’s will so that we may become true followers of Christ in our life.

Amen.