8 WEDNESDAY, 10th WEEK OF THE YEAR II ORDINARY TIME

                       1. 1Kings 18:20-39,  II. Gospel: Mt 5:17-19

                                        "TEACHING ABOUT THE LAW"

We are told about a story of a young priest who felt guilt simply because he failed to give anointing of the sick to a bedridden woman in a mission hospital. He was the one in fact who made it possible for the woman to get confined in the hospital, visited her frequently and even brought her food since her relatives lived far away. However, she died without anointing- the most important thing on earth a young priest failed to deliver to the woman." That is what you think?" Said the nun in charge, " God's mercy and forgiveness is far greater than our sacraments." Comforting words, indeed. The priest felt not only comforted but also challenged to become a better instrument of God's mercy and forgiveness especially in the administration of sacraments, they being God's gifts to believers. Sincere human failure in the fulfillment of sacramental duties should not be a cause of guilt but rather an occasion for faith in the workings of God in people's lives.

The aim of the law is to facilitate order and keeps the peace. But it is the spirit of the  law that makes it life-giving. The letter should  point to the Divine lawgiver who dispenses justice tempered by love, understanding and mercy." ..... I did not come to abolish the law or the prophets....until all things have taken place," says Jesus in today's gospel. St. Paul proclaims that with Christ, believers are enabled "to be ministers of new covenant no longer depending on a written law but on the Spirit."