Today’s reading forms part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of Jesus’ teachings put together by Matthew. It is fitting that the the evangelist located the scene on a mountain, as that is where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
The Jews, the chosen people, regarded the Law as a gift. It bound them together and gave them a way of living that brought them in harmony with God and with one another. Unlike their neighbours, who often lived in fear and uncertainty with their gods, the children of Israel had the Law written on stone tablets, giving them comfort and security.
Jesus lived and died as a Jew. He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfil it. Over time the Pharisees had elaborated the Law, so that it became burdensome rather than helpful. They then devised loopholes to exempt themselves from inconvenient regulations. Jesus gave as an example the Corban, which allowed the Pharisees to leave money to God (the Temple) rather than their parents, so they could benefit themselves (Mark 11:7). In our own times there was the Connie Dodger, an enormous biscuit, with which people could fill themselves and so evade the Lenten fast.
In the gospel, Jesus was trying to explore with his followers the motives at the basis of sin. He wanted to bring people back to the true purpose of the Law. St Paul, a strict Pharisee himself, realised that Jesus is now the centre of our Christian faith, and in truly loving him we also honour the Commandments.