Teaching the message of love

The Pharisees often criticized Jesus and his disciples accusing them of not obeying the Law. They especially attacked Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. In today's gospel from Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus explains his position. ''I have not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to bring them to perfection.'' The law of Moses had to be completed by the law of love that Jesus came to live and teach. Someone who understood this perfectly in his own life was St Paul. Before he met the Risen Lord, he lived according to the law, but he realized that while the law could teach him what was right and wrong, it could not give him power to do the good it demanded.'' The law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, Jesus Christ will rescue me.'' (Romans 7:21,24). Jesus not only taught us to love God and love our neighbour but he lived his whole life loving, curing and encouraging those who felt crushed under the burden of hopelessness caused by the sins of oppression, injustice and discrimination. He continues to bring peace to all who follow him. ''I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace. May you keep learning more and more about God and Our Lord Jesus.'' (2 Peter 1:2)