Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent ‘c’

Matthew 5:17-19

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.” I like to go back to these very words of Jesus when sometimes I disagree with certain changes in our church, or when I am not quite OK with the teaching of the pope or our local bishops. Jesus was accused of abolishing the laws of the Old Testament by bringing a new law telling us that we should be forgiving, loving, even praying for our enemies, and by teaching us that God loves us as a good Father. Many at Jesus’ time couldn’t understand that. They disagreed and accused Him of changing their beliefs and traditions. But Jesus didn’t change anything, but fulfilled the law, gave them and us a better understanding of God’s laws and God’s commandments. Even today many of us will argue with the pope, bishops, priests who try to make our church and our faith more ‘accessible’ and approachable for – especially, young people. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we are abolishing our traditions nor church teachings. No! We must treasure and protect our beautiful history and our faith. However, there are times when we bring God’s commandments to others in a way they might better understand and follow them.