The Law of Moses was very important for the people of Israel. They were rightly proud of the legal system they had developed in their desire to be God's people. Through the law, they were expected to lead lives that were different, better than their pagan neighbours. But, by the time of Jesus, the law had become so hopelessly complicated in its applications that only experts could interpret it in the many practical problems which would arise in daily living.

As Jesus indicated in today's Gospel, many of the Old Testament laws were of human invention. They had little to do with a loving God: they instead looked to conforming to social demands. Laws were misused for personal gain. In our Church, in our parish, and wherever people work together, we have to have rules. But they are only a means to help us work together more smoothly. Once the rules start dictating to us, then we are in trouble. Laws are not meant to restrict but to maximize the freedom of individuals and groups without detriment to others. The Gospel is not a code of laws. It provides a vision of truly human life lived for God among other people. It is focused on relationships rather than individual actions.