Commentary of the Gospell

February 7, 2023

I’ve always been a rule follower and a creature of habit. I like the structure that rules and routines provide. Following rules means one less thing I have to figure out each day. It can take some of the pressure off my shoulders. But the rules can become a trap as well. They can move fr being a structure to being a fence. This fence limits our growth and movement and it keeps others out. 

Jesus warned the Pharisees of this danger. The Pharisees were known for building a fence around the law to guard against accidental breaches of the law. Jesus calls people out for using the rules as an excuse to avoid doing what is right. While following God’s law is certainly important, love and justice always take precedence. If we take the law of love to heart, we can give the Lord the honor and worship he truly desires. We can reach out to our brothers and sisters, seeing the image of God in them and treating them with dignity and compassion.

Mary Elizabeth Sperry - Bible Diary 2023 - Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.