Law and Love

Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius, a Roman senator and Christian theologian and philosopher of the sixth century, said: “Love itself is a higher law.”

When the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees place the letter of the law above the spirit of love, they see things differently. They followed Jesus, looking for ways to criticize Him and destroy Him. One Sabbath day, they watched Him closely to see whether He would break the law, so that they could accuse Him of failing to observe the Sabbath. Jesus was aware of their evil intentions, and so, before healing the man with the withered hand, He wisely asked them: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

They were unable to answer the question. Jesus then healed the man, thereby showing that love is the highest law. Every law must be interpreted with merciful love and in the spirit of salvation.

We may be very good at observing laws, yet very weak when it comes to showing mercy to others. Sometimes we prefer to observe religious laws strictly, while hardly investing the same effort in fostering love within the Christian family.

Jesus teaches us that love is the highest law. If our prayer and religious practice are merely half-hearted attempts to fulfil the law, they become empty exercises. How often do we emphasize the importance of the law without considering the need for mercy and compassion?