The Gospel
Matt 5:17‑19
I have come, not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
St. Gaspar
"Oh how our souls find comfort in the exercise of virtue and of what great undertaking is the heart capable that is dedicated solely to God! . . ."[1]
"Not the walls that surround us nor the men with whom we live, but rather the victory over our own will, even in spiritual things ---that mystic childhood to which Christ calls us --- the desire for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, these alone will make us more perfect. They form, as it were, the framework of the holiness which is lacking in us and which we must absolutely seek to attain as the consequence of this retreat. "So get rid of all the old yeast"[2] “Let your armor be the Lord Jesus Christ.[3]” [4]
Reflection
It is not the fact that I go to church that makes me holy. It is not because we have these laws and commands of Jesus that makes us perfect. St Gaspar indicates that the inner law of love, the desire for God's will rather than my own is the framework or law that makes us whole. It is not the law itself, but the life as God desires or intends. That is what Jesus came to fulfill. We arrive at God's desire not by disregarding laws, but by seeking to fulfill their deepest intent as Jesus did. The least command, the obscure parts of God's will, the mundane parts of each day, all have the capacity to reveal God's way. We may get the impression that Jesus disregarded the laws of his day, but he did not approach them with a destructive intent, but with a desire to see God's desire fulfilled. I go to church on Sunday, not because I have to, but because I desire to be with God and with his people, the body of Christ.
[1] from Letter No. 44 to countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, March 4, 1813, Resources 4, pg. 3
[2] 1 Cor 5:7
[3] Rm 13:14
[4] First Circular Letter, 1826
Matt 5:17‑19
I have come, not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
St. Gaspar
"Oh how our souls find comfort in the exercise of virtue and of what great undertaking is the heart capable that is dedicated solely to God! . . ."[1]
"Not the walls that surround us nor the men with whom we live, but rather the victory over our own will, even in spiritual things ---that mystic childhood to which Christ calls us --- the desire for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, these alone will make us more perfect. They form, as it were, the framework of the holiness which is lacking in us and which we must absolutely seek to attain as the consequence of this retreat. "So get rid of all the old yeast"[2] “Let your armor be the Lord Jesus Christ.[3]” [4]
Reflection
It is not the fact that I go to church that makes me holy. It is not because we have these laws and commands of Jesus that makes us perfect. St Gaspar indicates that the inner law of love, the desire for God's will rather than my own is the framework or law that makes us whole. It is not the law itself, but the life as God desires or intends. That is what Jesus came to fulfill. We arrive at God's desire not by disregarding laws, but by seeking to fulfill their deepest intent as Jesus did. The least command, the obscure parts of God's will, the mundane parts of each day, all have the capacity to reveal God's way. We may get the impression that Jesus disregarded the laws of his day, but he did not approach them with a destructive intent, but with a desire to see God's desire fulfilled. I go to church on Sunday, not because I have to, but because I desire to be with God and with his people, the body of Christ.
- What laws of my family do I have difficulty appreciating?
- Are there laws of my city and state that do not fulfill God's desire? What are they and how do I respond to them?
- What laws of my church have I rejected, or have difficulty accepting?
[1] from Letter No. 44 to countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, March 4, 1813, Resources 4, pg. 3
[2] 1 Cor 5:7
[3] Rm 13:14
[4] First Circular Letter, 1826
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