“No law made by man can override the norm written by the Creator without society becoming dramatically wounded in what constitutes its basic foundation."

The natural law, the Creator's very good work, provides the solid foundation on which man can build the structure of moral rules to guide his choices. It also provides the indispensable moral foundation for building the human community. Finally, it provides the necessary basis for the civil law with which it is connected, whether by a reflection that draws conclusions from its principles, or by additions of a positive and juridical nature. - Catechism of the Catholic Church1959

Gospel Text: (MT 5:17-19)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

In the Gospel reading Jesus affirms the importance of God's laws and that he has come not "to remove [the law] but to fulfill them." Fulfillment involves not only acknowledging the necessity of compliance with the law but a total immersion of fulfilling the law and its spirit in daily life and actions. It involves being reflections of the importance of the law in our relationships with God and our fellow man and, by so doing, helping others in their relationships with God and their neighbor.

Jesus also stresses the importance of teaching others to fulfill God's law and, most important, that we do not encourage and teach others to ignore and disobey God's laws.

This stresses the responsibility of parents and teachers, leaders and those in authority to teach the young about God's law and the Law's key importance in our journey to the heavenly kingdom.