Jesus’ purpose was not to abrogate the Word,

He came to finish the Old Covenant and establish the New.

A person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9

And now, Israel,

Listen to the norms and laws which I teach that you may put them into practice.

And you will live and enter and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you.

See, as the Lord, my God, ordered me, I am teaching you the norms and the laws

That you may put them into practice in the land you are going to enter and have as your own.

If you observe and practice them, other peoples will regard you as wise and intelligent.

When they come to know of all these laws, they will say, "There is no people as wise and as intelligent as this great nation."

 

For in truth, is there a nation as great as ours, whose gods are as near to it as the Lord, our God,

is to us whenever we call upon him? And is there a nation as great as ours whose norms and laws are as just as this law which I give you today?

But be careful and be on your guard. Do not forget these things which your own eyes have seen nor let them depart from your heart

as long as you live. But on the contrary, teach them to your children and to your children's children.

 

Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 5:17-19

Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them,

but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change, until all is fulfilled.

So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same,

will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Work for justice and common good."

We are brought up to be law-abiding citizens. Laws exist to protect the rights of individuals in balance

with their responsibilities to others in the community, starting with their family. Laws, as an expression of justice,

are enacted to ensure the peaceful co-existence of people. And yet, not all laws are just.

 

There are many examples of outrageous laws, both past and present, which have abused the basic rights of people,

to the advantage of others. Those statutes or ordinances which ignore the right to life and due care, to work with dignity and just wages,

or hinder democratic participation, lack the justice referred to in today's first reading. So, we are to work for justice and the common good.

 

Yet, the Lord calls us to go further. Our human law should reflect God's law, which is one of justice and love,

as taught by Christ, who brought the Old Testament Law to completion. We may be law-abiding citizens, not breaking the civil code,

but as Christians we are also heavenly citizens (Phil 3:20-21),

and so we are called to make God's Law a priority in our lives (Acts 5:29-32). How well do we keep God's Law of justice and love?