There is a famous Latin term in the field of law, “ignorantia legis neminem excusat”, which means “ignorance of the law excuses no-one.”
Many legal experts say that “being unaware of the contents of the law, the person may not escape liability for violating that particular law”.
I’m saying this because Jesus Christ, during his ministry, was often accused of violating the law.
Many thought Jesus did not understand the Mosaic Law because he came from Nazareth - an uncelebrated, forgotten town.
They miscalculated Jesus and often misunderstood.
He was even a victim of prejudice, being a carpenter’s son.
Some biblical scholars said Jesus must have been executed with the charges of treason.
Did Jesus change the law? What I know is that Jesus came to complete it.
He is the embodiment of the whole law, who told us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, and love our neighbour as ourselves.
That love is the central part of our faith as Christians.
In the Upper Room, before he died, Jesus said, “I gave you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”.
The law was given to us by God to establish a relationship with God, and with one another.
That love is the heart of the whole law; that love completes the law.
That same love will help us journey as pilgrims of hope.
This Holy Week, let us try to reflect; how much love do you give in this life?
They say, the amount you give is the amount you will receive.
~ Contributed by Fr Line Abilgos of St Michael’s Catholic Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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