Gospel (Mt 5:17-19)

Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Commentary

We are on the Mount of the Beatitudes near the Lake of Gennesaret listening to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. The surrounding landscape speaks of life, of life in abundance.

Jesus, as though in harmony with the fullness of life around him, tells those listening to him: “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.” In continuity with the Old Testament, Jesus has come to bring us the fullness of life. He wants us to be happy – the happier the better.

Jesus knows that we are only happy to the extent that we listen to, live and spread his Word. Whoever fulfills and teaches these commandments will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Here on earth our life is made up of small things. The littleness of the present moment will make us great in the Kingdom of Heaven. The sacred Host we receive in Communion is small, but it contains all the sacred greatness of Jesus.

These days of Lent, as we advance towards reliving the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, are a wonderful opportunity to reflect on whether we are advancing in our own fidelity to our Lord. Do we give importance to small things? Do we purify our heart and return to the path through repentance?