Christ, The New Law Giver
Love and reverence for the Law or Commandments were held in the highest esteem in ancient Israel. The Law formed the foundation of Hebrew theological understanding of God and His relationship with the chosen people. It was regarded as God’s greatest gift to His people, and it remains so today. Accepting the Law and faithfully observing it were believed to guarantee life and happiness, accompanied by unmistakable blessings from the Lord.
Our first reading from the Book of Sirach reflects this fundamental belief: “If you choose, you can keep the commandments; they will save you. If you trust in God, you too shall live.” When Jesus began His public ministry, He introduced a new order of things, including a deeper way of interpreting and living the Law in daily life.
While remaining respectful of the Torah and its commandments, Jesus invited people to live the true spirit of the Law authentically. He taught that the commandments must be lived not merely according to the letter, but according to the spirit. His Sermon on the Mount shows how He affirmed and fulfilled the precepts of the Torah.
In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks of how the coming of Christ surpasses the old Law not by abolishing it, but by shaping it and bringing it to its ultimate purpose. The Law finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus, the new Law Giver. In this new dispensation, the Law is not imposed but freely given and must be accepted in freedom. God does not force or constrain anyone. For those who accept it, the gift of the Law leads to a life assured of peace and true prosperity.
Jesus introduces a new ethic of Christian life, beginning with the Beatitudes in the great Sermon on the Mount. We are called to go deeper and beyond the precepts of the old Law. This new way of holiness is rooted in charity and calls for a greater emphasis on virtue. The focus is no longer only on what we are forbidden to do, but on the interior reasons why certain actions are wrong.
The Law forbids murder, but Jesus teaches that anger is its root. When anger is avoided, there is no room for murder. Likewise, abusive language flows from an irritated and angry heart, exposing a person to judgment and ultimately to fiery Gehenna. Reconciliation, therefore, offers a peaceful way to resolve conflicts among God’s children, avoiding unnecessary disputes within the community of believers. Through these teachings, Jesus deepens our understanding of the Law and reveals its true meaning.
His teachings on adultery, divorce, and oath-taking likewise take on new depth. Jesus addresses the underlying causes of adultery—human lust and disordered affections—which, when left unguided, cause great harm. His teaching on divorce affirms the indissolubility of marriage in the strongest and clearest terms, emphasizing the Christian understanding of marriage as lasting and permanent, even when this teaching is difficult for some to accept. Oath-taking, which invokes God as witness to the truth, leaves no room for falsehood in a heart shaped by Christian values.
Indeed, the Kingdom that Jesus offers is of a different kind. It demands interior conversion and a radical response. It is a new way of life, freely given to those who sincerely choose to follow Christ, the New Law Giver. Let us pray that God grants us the grace to respond with gratitude and a sincere desire to fulfill His holy will.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike,
Pastor
