Reflection on the Sacred Readings for this coming Sunday by Jeff Koch
Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37
“Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.”
In our Gospel, Jesus makes a statement that almost seems unbelievable, maybe even impossible. He says, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Now, Jesus said this in a discussion with the religious leaders about the law and its place in the kingdom of heaven. When we think of the Pharisees, the thought that comes to mind is holiness; they lived it and they demanded it. They and the scribes made the law a priority in their lives and by it, they judged others. So, the average person hearing Jesus say that, they would have difficulty thinking that they should even try. But I think Jesus was getting at a deeper issue that we need to hear. To understand we need to look at a couple of things: the context which has a very prominent phrase Jesus uses repeatedly in our reading; “You have heard it said . . . But, I say to you . . .” Jesus in punctuating his teaching with that phrase, often quoting a law or commandment or a teaching of the Rabbi’s and spiritual leaders of the Israelites, but going deeper, he was saying, there is something the surpasses that just keeping the law. Jesus came to fulfill the law, to show us the intent of the law. What does the law look like if lived out in a person’s life, from the heart, because of love. So with that, a second key to understand this is from another reading this week (Tuesday, Mark 7:1-13) “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition. (Mark 7:6-8)
Our purpose for living in God and for God is not to be successful in keeping rules, it is to show a life lived from the heart, that goes beyond the law and lives out of a life of love. Jesus summed up the whole law and the prophets with two commands/desires for us. This Royal law, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39) Let me say it again, this is a life the is not as much concerned with how we LOOK, but how we LOVE, with the love of God. You see, this may sound strange, but you can keep the ten commandments and still be a ‘jerk;’ you can keep that ten commandments and ignore the needs of others; you can keep the ten commandments and by telling the truth, ruin another person’s life or soul. As we saw in the life of the Pharisees and scribes, you can be seen as good at keeping the law and be pretty mean and judgmental. Jesus is trying to get us beyond law keeping and live a live that flows from HIS life within us; that flows from love!
Paul tells us that there is a wisdom of the world, and a wisdom from above for the mature, it is that wisdom which eye has not seen, or ear heard, but that wisdom is gratnted to us who have the Spirit that searches the deep things of God, the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16) Jesus is saying we need to live out of a relationship with him and the Father, guided by the Spirit. If we are worried about keeping the law, we will keep it if we can live a life of love for God, others, and ourselves.
You have heard it said, . . ., but I say to you, . . .” This reminds me of the transfiguration, Jesus is meeting with Moses, (representing the Law) and Elijah, (representing the prophets) talking of the high mountain. When the cloud comes down over them and God speaks, He says, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)
God can protect us and be a mighty stronghold to save us, he can guide me for the sake of his name. not by keeping the rules, but by listening to, and obeying Jesus! He will guide you in the right way, ahead of time! Pay attention to the words of Jesus. I like the words of Sirach, “If you choose, you can keep the commands, they will save you: if you trust in God, you too shall live. . . Immense is the wisdom of the Lord (the mind of Christ) . . .”
May this prayer echo in our hearts and minds and lives . . .
O God, who teach us that you abide in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen!