“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.”

Matthew 5:19

Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples he did not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill. Until heaven and earth pass away, the smallest part of a letter will not pass from the law, and whoever breaks the least of the commandments while teaching others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.

We have a high calling as Christians. We are called to obey Christ’s commandments throughout our entire lives. There is no time or scenario where breaking a commandment is permissible; if it was, our already morally lax society would become even more so.

Furthermore, Jesus tells us we should not teach others to break his commandments either, even the ‘least’ ones. Unfortunately, we inadvertently teach others it is okay to sin when we tell a small lie, or consistently gossip about a friend, or skip Mass on Sundays when it’s inconvenient. We might not be verbally teaching them, but our actions speak loudly. Our mission is to follow Jesus, spreading his love and commandments to all we encounter. How can you do this today?

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Saint of the Day

St. Joachima: 1783 – 1854

“The good Jesus calls us unceasingly, and shall we always be deaf? Let us try to keep our hearts very well disposed: let our will be all for Jesus, and may all our powers and senses be for the Lord.” St. Joachima