Meditation today: the height of the new law

the height of the new law: I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth have passed away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass by the law, until all things have happened. " Matthew 5: 17–18

The Old Law, the law of the Old Testament, prescribed various moral precepts, as well as ceremonial precepts for worship. Jesus makes it clear that he is not abolishing all that God taught through Moses and the Prophets. This is because the New Testament is the culmination and completion of the Old Testament. Thus, nothing ancient has been abolished; was built and completed.

The moral precepts of the Old Testament were laws that derived mainly from human reason. It made sense not to kill, to steal, committing adultery, lying, etc. It also made sense that God was honored and respected. The Ten Commandments and other moral laws still apply today. But Jesus takes us much further. Not only did he call us to deepen the observance of these commandments, but he also promised the gift of grace so that they could be fulfilled. Thus, "Thou shalt not kill" deepens to the requirement of complete and total forgiveness of those who persecute us.

It is interesting to note that the new depth of the moral law that Jesus gives actually goes beyond human reason. "Thou shalt not kill" makes sense to almost everyone, but "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" is a new moral law that only makes sense with the help of grace. But without grace, the natural human mind alone cannot come to this new commandment.

the height of the new law

This is extremely helpful to understand, because we often go through life relying only on our human reason when it comes to making moral decisions. And although our human reason will always distance us from the most obvious moral failures, it alone will not be enough to guide us to the heights of moral perfection. Grace is necessary for this lofty vocation to make sense. Only by grace can we understand and fulfill the call to take up our crosses and follow Christ.

Reflect today on your call to perfection. If it doesn't make sense to you how God can expect perfection from you, then stop and think that you're right: it doesn't make sense just for human reason! Pray that your human reason will be flooded with the light of grace so that you may not only understand your lofty calling to perfection, but also be given the grace you need to obtain it.

My Most High Jesus, you have called us to a new height of holiness. You called us perfectly. Enlighten my mind, dear Lord, so that I can understand this lofty calling and pour out Your grace, so that I can embrace my moral duty to the fullest extent. Jesus I believe in you