Matthew 19:16,21 – Then someone came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said, "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." The young man said to him, "I have kept all these, what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

What Jesus teaches about the fulfilment of the law is that we are to reach outward, not inward, to find fulfilment. Zen, Transcendental Meditation, yoga, and a host of other spiritual aids miss the mark, just as the law of Moses and its many regulations missed the mark for the Pharisees. The rich young man was invited to reach out to those in need, not look within, give to the poor and then come and follow Jesus.

To achieve righteousness we are invited into lives of self-giving,

loving our families,
our neighbours,
our communities and our world.

Jesus said we fulfill the law when we love…

love God
love neighbour
love self
love one another as he has loved us.

Prayer: O dear Lord, three things I pray; to love thee more dearly; to follow thee more nearly; to see thee more clearly, day by day. Amen.

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
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