Photo of a Skipper

 

Fulfillment of the Prophets June 14, 2006

Mt 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. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” The commandments are the law of the Scriptures. Jesus is not teaching contrary to the law, but in accordance with it. The first reading today describes Elijah the great prophet who calls himself the one prophet of his time of God and challenges the followers of Baal to have Baal ignite their wood for sacrifice. The followers of Baal are unable to light their wood and Elijah's wood is consumed with a great fire even with the wood having been doused with water first. Elijah is teaching the people to have the one God and not others as the commandment, the law requires.

It appears that there are throughout time attractions to pull people away from God and the commandments, the law of God. Jewish law has over 600 different rules but I interpret the reading in the Gospel and the first reading about Elijah to be about the ten commandments. The commandments are not something that will change as I understand the Word of God. They are something that can be easily written upon our hearts and remembered and lived. There is goodness and their are graces and blessings in following them. It is not a drudgery but a blessing, God's gift to the people to guide us with tender loving care.

My prayer today: Shepherd me oh God beyond my wants, beyond my fears to life in you Let me never be lost or set astray. Keep me always at your side.