Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 10 June 2026
Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs 18:20-39. Mt 5:17-19
Fulfilling the Law
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount and speaks about the Law and the Prophets. Many people of His time expected the Messiah to bring a complete break with the past. Some thought He would abolish the Law. Jesus corrects this idea clearly: “I have come not to abolish, but to fulfil.”
To fulfil means to bring to fullness. Jesus does not destroy the Law. He completes it. He does not reject the Prophets. He reveals their deepest meaning. In Him, the Law and the Prophets reach their purpose.
Jesus fulfils the Law in two ways.
First, He gives the Law its full meaning. He does not stop at external observance. He leads us to the heart of the commandment. Later in the same sermon, He will say, “You have heard that it was said … but I say to you.” He shows that the commandment against murder also calls us to overcome anger. The commandment against adultery also calls us to purity of heart. The commandment to love our neighbour also calls us to love our enemies.
Second, Jesus fulfils the Law by His life. The whole Law is summed up in love of God and love of neighbour. Jesus lives this love perfectly. He forgives, heals, welcomes, serves, and finally gives Himself on the Cross. In Him, the Law becomes flesh. In Him, God’s will becomes visible.
Therefore, Jesus tells His disciples that greatness in the Kingdom depends on keeping and teaching God’s commandments. This is not legalism. It is faithful love. A commandment written in Scripture becomes fulfilled when it becomes visible in our life.
The first reading gives us a strong example of faithfulness. Elijah stands on Mount Carmel before the prophets of Baal. The people are divided. They cannot decide whether to follow the Lord or Baal. Elijah challenges them to choose the true God.
The prophets of Baal cry out, but nothing happens. Elijah prays to the Lord, and fire comes down from heaven. Then the people cry out: “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”
Here we see not only Elijah’s faith, but above all God’s faithfulness. God answers. God reveals Himself as the living and true God. He does not fail those who trust in Him.
Both readings invite us to fidelity. Jesus is faithful to the Law by bringing it to fullness. God is faithful to Elijah by answering his prayer. We too are called to be faithful to God’s word in our daily life.
Today we may ask ourselves: What rule guides my life? Is it comfort, success, money, power, or self-interest? Or is it the law of God?
God’s commandments are not burdens. They are paths to life. They teach us how to love, forgive, serve, speak truth, and remain faithful. To fulfil the Law means to live its spirit, not merely its letter.
Today let us ask for the grace to recognize the heart of God’s commandments. May His word not remain only in our mind or on our lips, but become visible in our actions.
The Law is fulfilled when love becomes our way of life.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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