Wednesday March 22
The “new” commandment does not invalidate the “old.” Neither does the “New” Testament cancel out the “Old” Testament. Instead, the new completes the old, giving the latter deeper meaning and relevance. Thus, Jesus did not come into the world to remove the Law and the Prophets, but to complete them and give them a deeper interpretation and insight. A little child does not understand how Santa works his way through the chimney, but she continues her bedtime practices in preparation for his visit. And then she grows up to realize the adult “truth” about Santa. But she may now engage in the Santa act all the more delightfully with her younger siblings, for now she knows the “soul” of the tradition and appreciates it in a deeper way.
Does knowing Christ and growing in relationship with him help us appreciate teachings in the Law and the Prophets at a deeper level?
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One of the features of the Gospel of Matthew is the abundance of references to the Old Testament. Today's text clearly explains the reason for this approach: Jesus did not come to annul the first covenant, nor erase a single page of divine revelation to Israel; on the contrary, He takes all the law and the prophets and brings them to completion. The Word of God resounds throughout Scripture; so a Christian is called to deepen and love the Old Testament, discovering all its wealth in the light of Christ's resurrection.
