Daily Catholic Lectio. Wed, 11 March 2026. Fulfilment of the Law

Daily Catholic Lectio

Wed, 11 March 2026

Third Week of Lent, Wednesday

Deut 4:1, 5–9. Mt 5:17–19

Fulfilment of the Law

In today’s Gospel, taken from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks about the Law and the Prophets. Earlier in this chapter, Jesus had already described who the people of the Kingdom are — the poor in spirit, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers (Mt 5:3–16). Now he goes one step further and presents a new way of understanding moral life.

Many people in Jesus’ time had an important question: Who exactly is Jesus? What is his relationship to Moses and the prophets? Is he continuing their mission, or is he contradicting them? Jesus answers these questions very clearly: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfil them.”

1. The Value of the Law

The first reading from Deuteronomy shows how precious the Law was for the people of Israel. Through Moses, God tells the people that his commandments are their wisdom and understanding.

The Law was important for Israel in three ways: It gave them identity as God’s chosen people. It expressed their relationship with God. It became a sign of honour among the nations, who would say: “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” So, the Law was not simply a list of rules. It was a gift from God, guiding the people in their relationship with him and with one another. Because of this, Jesus does not destroy the Law. Instead, he brings it to completion.

2. Jesus Brings the Law to Fulfilment

We can understand this with a simple image. Imagine buying a mobile phone with 32 GB of memory. After some time, you realise that many applications require more space, so you upgrade the memory to 128 or 256 GB. The phone is not destroyed; it is enhanced and completed. Its capacity increases and it works even better.

Jesus does something similar with the Law. He does not cancel it — he deepens it. For example:

The Law said, “You shall not kill.” Jesus says, “Do not even be angry.” The Law said, “You shall not commit adultery.” Jesus says, “Do not even look with lust.” The Law said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Jesus says, “Forgive.” The Law said, “Love your neighbour.” Jesus says, “Love everyone — even your enemies.” In this way, Jesus moves the Law from external action to the interior of the heart.

3. Jesus Fulfils the Prophets

Not only the Law, but also the prophets find their fulfilment in Jesus. The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 53), and Jesus comes as that Messiah. They spoke about the coming Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44), and Jesus proclaims that Kingdom. They promised a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34), and Jesus brings that covenant to fulfilment. Through his teaching, through his life, and through his mission, Jesus presents himself as the fulfilment of God’s plan.

4. Knowing, Living, Teaching

In the Gospel, Jesus also speaks about observing and teaching the commandments. The Law grows in three stages: Knowing the commandments. Living or observing them. Teaching them to others. What we know reaches fulfilment when we live it. What we live becomes a light when we teach it to others. In this way, the goodness of the Law flows from one life to another.

5. The Fulfilment of the Law is Love

During this season of Lent, the Word of God reminds us of a very important truth. Saint Paul writes: “Love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Romans 13:10). Saint Augustine says the same: love is the goal and meaning of every commandment. When we live love, we truly know the Law, fulfil the Law, and teach the Law. Love does not destroy anything. Jesus says not even the smallest letter of the Law will disappear. Love does not abolish — it completes. The Ten Commandments, the two commandments of Jesus — love of God and love of neighbour — and the teachings of the Church are meant to guide and enrich our lives.

6. Commandments and True Freedom

Sometimes commandments seem like a burden. But they give us freedom. Think about driving on the road and arriving at a four-way intersection. You may feel confused: Should I stop or go? But if a red traffic light appears, the decision becomes clear — you stop. The rule removes confusion. Commandments work in the same way. They give direction and clarity to our lives.

Observing God’s commandments is important for three reasons: They give us a sense of freedom. They express our relationship with God. They help us grow and become better persons.

Conclusion

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law. He came to bring it to its fullness in love. If we live with love — love for God and love for one another — we fulfil the deepest meaning of every commandment. During this Lenten season, let us ask the Lord for the grace to know the Law, to live it faithfully, and to teach it through our lives. For in the end, love alone fulfils the Law.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy