335 THE LAW OF THE OLD COVENANT

YOUCAT Lesson 335

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

335  What significance does the Law of the Old Covenant have?

In the Law (the Torah), and its centerpiece, the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue), the will of God is manifested to the people of Israel: following the Torah is for Israel the central way to salvation.  Christians know that we can tell by the Law (Ten Commandments) what ought to be done.  They also know, however, that it is not the Law that saves us.  [1963-1964, 1981-1982]

Apostle Saint Paul delivering the Areopagus Unknown God Sermon in Athens, by Raphael, 1515. …..335

Every man has the experience of finding that something good is, so to speak, “prescribed”.  But one does not have the strength to accomplish it; it is too difficult; one feels “helpless” (see Romans 8:3 and Romans 7:14-25).  One sees the Law and feels that one has been handed over to sin.  And so precisely through the Law it becomes clear how urgently we rely on inner strength in order to fulfill the Law.  That is why the Law, as good and important as it is, only prepares the way for faith in the saving God.  349

“The Law is a pedagogy and a prophecy of things to come.”  St. Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 135-202)

“Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:19

[1963-1964, 1981-1982]

 II. THE OLD LAW

1963 According to Christian tradition, the Law is holy, spiritual, and good,( Compare Romans 7:12,14,16.)¹⁴ yet still imperfect. Like a tutor(Compare Galatians 3:24.)¹⁵ it shows what must be done, but does not of itself give the strength, the grace of the Spirit, to fulfill it. Because of sin, which it cannot remove, it remains a law of bondage. According to St. Paul, its special function is to denounce and disclose sin, which constitutes a "law of concupiscence" in the human heart.( Compare Romans 7.)¹⁶However, the Law remains the first stage on the way to the kingdom. It prepares and disposes the chosen people and each Christian for conversion and faith in the Savior God. It provides a teaching which endures for ever, like the Word of God. –CCC

1964 The Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel. "The Law is a pedagogy and a prophecy of things to come."( St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres. 4,15,1:Patrologia Graeca 7/1,1012.)¹⁷ It prophesies and presages the work of liberation from sin which will be fulfilled in Christ: it provides the New Testament with images, "types," and symbols for expressing the life according to the Spirit. Finally, the Law is completed by the teaching of the sapiential books and the prophets which set its course toward the New Covenant and the Kingdom of heaven. --CCC

There were . . . under the regimen of the Old Covenant, people who possessed the charity and grace of the Holy Spirit and longed above all for the spiritual and eternal promises by which they were associated with the New Law. Conversely, there exist carnal men under the New Covenant still distanced from the perfection of the New Law: the fear of punishment and certain temporal promises have been necessary, even under the New Covenant, to incite them to virtuous works. In any case, even though the Old Law prescribed charity, it did not give the Holy Spirit, through whom "God's charity has been poured into our hearts."( St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I-II,107,1 ad 2; compare Romans 5:5.)¹⁸ –CCC

IN BRIEF

1981 The Law of Moses contains many truths naturally accessible to reason. God has revealed them because men did not read them in their hearts. –CCC

1982 The Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel. --CCC