God’s law takes center stage today, as we hear ways to understand it more deeply. Ben Sira points out that we all have free will, so we can choose to obey or disobey God’s commands. Saint Paul speaks of God’s wisdom, which informs God’s law. Jesus, the fulfillment of the law, takes four commands from the Torah and broadens each one, teaching that obeying the letter of the law is not enough. May what we hear today inspire us to live according to the spirit of God’s law.

The law teaches against murder. The Lord Jesus upholds this law and then amplifies it in his commandment against anger. The law teaches against dishonesty. The Lord Jesus goes one step further and teaches against doubting another’s honesty. The law is only the beginning of justice and mercy. In this sacrament of the altar, our Lord Jesus shows the way to the full flowering of the kingdom.

• The scribes and Pharisees looked as if they were perfect in their behavior. They observed the letter of the law to a T. But Jesus could see deep into their hearts and realized that their righteousness was only for show. It is not enough to observe every commandment outwardly. We need to change our attitudes so that we have internalized God’s law. For instance, it is the anger inside us that we are called to overcome, for it can lead us to say or do hurtful things well short of murder. Later, Jesus will teach us that love of God and love of neighbor are the greatest commandments. With love in our hearts toward our sisters and brothers, we will live our lives in accordance with the heart of the commandments.

• Ultimately, though, it is our choice. We talk a lot about having the freedom to choose or about fighting for our liberties. But the free will that is part of our God-given human nature is the opportunity we have to choose the right thing, not license to do whatever we please. Ben Sira wrote that God does not give anyone license to sin; rather we are called to choose to keep the commandments, for they can save us. If the law of the Lord is written on our hearts, we will act with honesty, mercy, and love for our neighbor.

• Let us review Jesus’ four examples in this light. If our hearts are merciful, we overcome whatever anger we might have toward our neighbor and replace it with a desire to reconcile. We forgive rather than retaliate. If we truly love our brothers and sisters, we see them in their wholeness, not merely the part of them that pleases us. With forgiveness and love, marriage is not just a legal contract, but a lasting covenant. If we are always honest, we do not need to swear to any kind of oath that we are telling the truth this time. This is what Jesus expected of his disciples, and so of us as well.

When do the temptations of anger, lust, or deceit affect what I say or do? How can I build the habit of treating everyone else with honesty, mercy, and love?