“I tell you”: The old Law fulfilled by the one who gives the new Law
The Law given to Moses is a collection of various teachings and imperatives, a collection that is useful to everyone as regards what it is good to do in this life, and a mystical reflection of the customs of life in heaven: a torch and a lamp, a fire and a light, replicas of the lamps on high. The Law of Moses is the itinerary of piety, the rule for honest morals, the brake put on the first sin, the outline of the truth to come (Col 2:17)… The Law of Moses is a teacher for piety and a guide for righteousness, a light for the blind and a proof for the foolish, an educator for children and a mooring for the imprudent, a bridle for the stiff-necked, and a constraining yoke for the impatient.
The Law of Moses is Christ’s messenger, the precursor of Jesus, the herald and prophet of the great King, a school of wisdom, a necessary preparation and a universal teaching, a doctrine that came at its time and a temporary mystery. The Law of Moses is a symbolic and enigmatic summary of future grace, announcing in images the perfection of truth that is to come. Through the sacrifices, it announces the Victim; through the blood, the Blood; through the lamb, the Lamb; through the dove, the Dove; through the altar, the High Priest; through the Temple, the dwelling place of divinity; through the altar’s fire, the full “light of the world” (Jn 8:12) that comes down from on high.