In the prolog to the Treatise on Law in the Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas Aquinas posited two exterior principles that influence human act. First, “ the extrinsic principle inclining man to evil is the devil” (principum autem exterius ad malum inclinans est Diabolus). Second, “the extrinsic principle moving a man to good is God” (principum autem exterius movens ad bonum est Deus). Aquinas described God as an extrinsic principle because He is distinct from us – He is not one of the intrinsic principles such powers or habits. Furthermore, Aquinas posited that God operates in two ways: He instructs man through law, and He aids man using grace (quit et nos instruit per legem, et iuvat per gratiam).
Budziszewski in his Commentary on Thomas Aquinas ‘s Treatise on Law borrowed John Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress, to describe the distinction between law and grace; the law is like the broom and grace is like the sprinkling of water. In Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan told a story of a man, who attempts to sweep a dusty parlor, but his efforts merely drive the dust into the air, and the room is dirty as before. After a maid has sprinkled the dust with water, the man can sweep the dust into a pile and get rid of it. Based on this story, Budziszewski argued that although the broom (law) is necessary, the sprinkling (Grace) is also needed so that the broom can achieve its end.
As you listen to the scripture reading today, notice that the law is not only a matter of rigid rules that need to be obeyed. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it because the law can be a source of wisdom that leads us to holiness. In your prayer today, perhaps you can listen to Jesus on how it could be possible that the law can lead us all to the path of holiness. Pray also for the grace to deepen your relationship with God during this Lenten season.