We heard Jesus in the Gospel proclaim “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” What is the law that Jesus talks about? It is the commandments. Jesus fulfills the commandments by asking us to LIVE THE IMPOSSIBLE. l tell you unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of God." —Matthew 5:20. Jesus has higher standards than anyone who has ever lived. He has the highest standards for harmony in relationships (Mt 5:22), purity in sexuality (Mt 5:28), faithfulness in marriage (Mt 5:32), truth in speech (Mt 5:34), and love for enemies (Mt 5:39, 44). In Jesus, we don't just control our tempers but crucify them (Gal 5:24). Jesus commands us to destroy our bodies rather than look lustfully at someone else's body, and to divorce ourselves from forgiveness and sin rather than from our spouses. Jesus commands us to express the truth rather than express our own agenda. We are to treat our enemies even better than we treat our friends (see Lk 15:20ff). Jesus' standards are intentionally impossible. Humanly speaking we cannot meet these standards no matter how hard we try. Jesus is not into self-improvement, but self-denial. We're not concerned with behavior modification but rebirth. We don't try to educate our old nature but drown it in the waters of Baptism. We're not trying to make ourselves better but to let Him make us new (Rv 21:5). Above everything we have a heavenly goal to achieve that is “to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5: 48).
It looks like an impossible task. But what is impossible to humans is possible to God who gives generously of his gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit to those who put their faith and trust in him. God gives us the grace, help, and strength to love as he loves, to forgive as he forgives, to think and judge as he judges, and to act as he acts with mercy, loving-kindness, and goodness. The Lord loves righteousness and hates wickedness. As his followers, we must love his commandments and hate every form of sin and wrong-doing. If we want to live righteously as God desires for us, then we must know and understand the intention of God's commands for us, and decide in our heart to obey the Lord. Do you seek to understand the intention of his law and to grow in the wisdom of his ways? The Holy Spirit transforms our minds and hearts. Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them the gift of the Holy Spirit who writes God's law of love and truth on our hearts. The Holy Spirit teaches us God's truth and gives us wisdom and understanding of God's ways. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, strengthens us in temptation, and transforms us, day by day, into the likeness of Jesus Christ, our Merciful Savior, and Humble Lord.
There is a great blessing and reward for those who obey God's commandments and who encourage others, especially the younger generations, to love, respect, and obey the Lord. Do you trust in God’s love and allow his Holy Spirit to fill you `with a thirst for holiness and righteousness in every area of your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with a burning desire and reverence for God's life-giving word so that you may grow day by day in the wisdom and knowledge of God's love, truth, and goodness. The "law" also referred to the whole teaching or way of life which God gave to his people. The Jews in Jesus' time also used it as a description of the oral or scribal law. Needless to say, the scribes added many more things to the law than God intended. That is why Jesus often condemned the scribal law because it placed burdens on people which God had not intended. Jesus made it very clear that the essence of God's law - his commandments and way of life - must be fulfilled. God's law is true and righteous because it flows from his love, goodness, and holiness. It is a law of grace, love, and freedom for us. That is why God commands us to love him above all else and to follow in the way of his Son, the Lord Jesus, who taught us how to love by laying down our lives for one another.
"Lord Jesus, begin a new work of love within me. Instill in me a greater love and respect for your commandments. Give me a burning desire to live a life of holiness and righteousness. Purify my thoughts, desires, and intentions that I may only desire what is pleasing to you and in accord with your will."
Courtesy of Presentation Ministries and Don Schwager