Commentary on the Gospel of
Not chains but wings
We are right there at the mount with Jesus still preaching on the third day. Picture it: the sun rising over the hills, a hushed crowd gathered around Jesus on that mount. Jesus declares, “I have not come to change the law, but to fulfil it.” There were Pharisees and scribes who strictly adhered to the Jewish law and compelled others to do the same. They had become so rigid in their interpretation of the law that it had become burdensome to many.
The laws of the Old Testament were not arbitrary impositions; they were God's love letters to humanity. Jesus, in his teachings, unveils the true essence of these commandments, revealing that they are not about finding legal loopholes but about embracing and embodying love. When we grasp the heart behind these laws, obedience becomes a wellspring of joy, not a mere obligation.
We are all connected by church laws, cultural norms, and national regulations. Sometimes, we struggle to find ways to navigate through them. What if we saw rules as ways to achieve our purposes? Imagine a world where we follow rules because we recognise the beauty and meaning in each one.
When we find it difficult to follow the commandment to love God and love one another, when forgiving others, especially family members, seems impossible, or when confronted with some regulations of the church or the state that are difficult, remember: God's intentions are woven into every syllable.
Visualize God softly saying, "My child, those are not restraints; they are wings." Let's fly high, understanding that obedience is not a list of tasks but a beautiful expression of grace.
