Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
It is said that there are seven hundred thirteen precepts in
Israel’s law. Many of these regard
dietary and ritual issues. Jesus’ followers
no longer follow any of the latter types.
One wonders what he meant by saying in today’s gospel that absolutely nothing
of the law “will pass away until all things have taken place.”
But all things have taken place with Jesus’ death and
resurrection. Human history experiences
its end in Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
Even though time may stretch onward for millions of more years, Jesus
has already secured the establishment of God’s reign.
Jesus admits as much in the gospel when he names the two commandments
on which depend all the others. He will
tell a scribe later in the gospel that one must love God above all and one’s neighbor
as oneself. St. Augustine reduces the “law
of love” even more when he says, “Love and do what you will.”
