Fulfill The Law

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

I write this blog entry during the many peaceful protests throughout the United States all related to the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer(s).  Not surprising were the accompanying acts of violence.  They can happen especially when people are angry and suffering from financial and emotional despair such as that caused by the coronavirus and great depression-like loss of jobs.

I also write this blog after reading the Administration’s unexpected visit to nearby Saint John’s Church after clearing peaceful protesters by force through tear gas.   Our president held up a bible in front of the Church as part of a photo-op.  Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the DC bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, responded: “Let me be clear: The president just used a Bible, the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and in one of the churches of my diocese without permission as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teaching of Jesus and everything that our churches stand for.  And to do so he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the church yard.  I am outraged.”

Whether we support this president or we don’t, I suggest today’s Gospel message is relevant to the 10 Commandments that state what is required in the love of God and love of neighbor.  This message is especially relevant to the 2nd Commandment: “Thou shall not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” that commands reverence in speaking about God and holy things and the keeping of oaths and vows.

And, there’s the 8th commandment: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” that commands truthfulness and respect for the good name of others.  It forbids lying; injury to the good name of others; slander; and contemptuous speech. 

As Jesus said to his disciples and to us, “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Deacon David Pierce