We are drawn to love God and our neighbour, not driven to obey by fear of hell and punishment. The Pharisees had reduced the Torah (the Religious Law) to 613 laws covering every aspect of a person's life - an impossible task to achieve for ordinary folks in Jewish society.

Jesus taught with the basic premise that God loves us first, no matter what we are. Jesus gave the law its "raison d'etre" - the very essence of the law is love of God and neighbour (cf Dt. 6.6ff). By His teaching and way of life, Jesus gives the law a new and effective definitive form by which the goal of the law is fully revealed and realised. In 2 Cor.3:4-6 - 'the written letters (law) bring death - but the Spirit gives life.' The rest of the Sermon on the Mount amplifies this teaching ... "You have heard ... but I say to you..."

As Jesus' disciples, we are meant to surpass the Scribes and Pharisees in seeking the fulfilment of the law. We do more than just what the law requires.

St John of the Cross wrote: "One act of pure love achieves more than all the exterior works in the world." God's law is written in our hearts - only with the heart can one see clearly.