The originality and Relevance of God's commandments at all times

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Third Week:  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:17-19*

*First Reading - Dt 4:1, 5-9*

*The originality and Relevance of God's commandments at all times*

*1) God's Commandments*

As we know that these commandments were given by God to Mosses at Mount Sinai

Historically we can go back and locate the time of Abraham. It may be around 1800 B.C. 

From today if we look back, these commandments can be seen as having history of around 3800 to 4000 years, after which they came to be written down in the scripture

It does not mean that these commandments have only 4000 years history, but they go back as long as the humanity existed on this planet.

So they are inscribed in the very heart of the human being so the value and need of these commandments can be seen from this perspective 

*2) What are the Law and Prophets*

In one word they are nothing but the 10 commandments. 

All the teachings in the Bible either in the form of Laws which are to be observed or the prophets teachings are finally speaking about Ten Commandments

They are like huge commentaries on these Ten Commandments

So Law and Prophets are nothing but the 10 Commandments

*3) No one can ever think that Jesus has come to abolish the Ten Commandments*

In no way Jesus abolishes these Ten Commandments

Jesus clearly says *Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.*

So to think that Jesus has come to abolish the Ten Commandments, would be a totally wrong conception and one can't think in such a way

To abolish the Law and Prophets would totally go against the nature and mission of Jesus 

*4) Not even a letter can be changed*

Jesus clearly says that not even a letter can be changed from these Ten Commandments

So forget about abolishing the Law and Prophets 

Even changing a letter would be equal to abolishing the important Law itself

Change of one letter can change entire thing 

For example Thou shall not steal. If you remove *T* it becomes *seal* totally meaning is lost 

So Jesus says not even a letter can be taken away from Law and Prophets

*5) Not even a Part of the Letter*

Once again Jesus tells us clearly that not even the part of the letter can be changed 

Example would be 

The word steal can mean totally different if you change a little part of it *a* into *e*

The steal would then mean Steel, which would give totally a different meaning

So not even a part of it can be changed 

*6) One Who breaks least in the kingdom of God*

Breaking the Law is equal to abolishing the Law 

One who breaks the Law is the one who does not care about the same 

Such a person neither has any regard to the Law nor to God 

So such a person is considered least in the Kingdom of God, because he/she does not think or live according to its demands

*7) One who teaches also least in the kingdom of God*

Teaching some one to break the Law would be more serious than breaking by oneself 

If some one teaches another to break the Law means, it speaks about the nastiness and crookedness  of the person

So such a person fails to enter the Kingdom of Heaven 

So the validity of the  commandments remains at all time and life becomes impossible without these commandments

*Am I ready to follow and to teach the commandments with its true spirit?*

*God bless you and  family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*