The Spirit of the Law

Being a good Jew, Jesus adhered to the Law of Moses, but admitted that he had come to fulfill it, not abolish it.  (cf. Mt 7:17).  The fulfillment consisted in emphasizing the Law of Love, which was behind the many tenets of Jewish Law.  That was sometimes overlooked, as the letter of the Law dominated thinking and acting.  Jesus made it clear that love of God and love of neighbor must come first. The Law is there to guarantee that acts of charity will be performed, but the law can sometimes stand in the way of performing them.  When the disciples were hungry, they picked grain to eat, even on the sabbath, much to the disdain of the Pharisees, yet Jesus gave examples of other Greats from the past, David included, who "broke the law" to feed the hungry.  It takes a listening heart to discern the difference between charity and outright lawlessness. Dear God, let the Law of Love take precedence in my actions today and every day.
Bro. Rene