Today we hear Jesus say 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.” He explains to them a “revolutionary” concept: He takes them beyond the actual letter of the law to the spirit and basic purpose of the “law.” He goes beyond it, into the heart of any matter that He brings up.
Jesus states the law: “You shall not kill; whoever kills will be liable to judgment.” He then asks them to go beyond the obvious; not just you shall not kill, but you shall not be angry, you shall not name call, you shall forgive, you shall not hold grudges―but settle with others. “Kill” in this case may not be just about killing the body; but about killing someone’s spirit, someone’s hopes, someone’s dreams, someone’s ability to move on. Jesus’ “description” of “kill” encompasses more than the strict and usual definition. He gives a broad meaning that encompasses more; He challenges us as Disciples to live beyond the obvious.
Jesus states the law: “You shall not commit adultery.” Then he tells them you shall not lust even in your heart. He goes on, you get the picture! He states the Jewish laws in the Gospel and then he takes us past those parameters and into God-like sacredness and holiness. The thoroughness and dimension of His teaching is revolutionary and demanding.
In St. Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians (and us), he talks about us speaking “a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age…” He writes describing God’s wisdom; so different from man’s wisdom—and that if we had God’s wisdom Christ would not have been crucified.
Jesus says today: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” No wiggle room there… And it is great advice and food for thought, discernment and prayer. If you think about it, sticking to your word, your vows—your personal integrity in all you say and do—is sticking to your Baptismal promises as a Christian in all of it’s implications—this is truly a maturity of spirit (St. Paul). Sirach today tells us to stretch out our hands to choose life over death, and good over evil. You will be saved by making mature and wise choices. The psalm today says: “Give me discernment, that I may observe Your law and keep it in my heart.”
Now that’s a mature and wise petition…
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Jesus states the law: “You shall not kill; whoever kills will be liable to judgment.” He then asks them to go beyond the obvious; not just you shall not kill, but you shall not be angry, you shall not name call, you shall forgive, you shall not hold grudges―but settle with others. “Kill” in this case may not be just about killing the body; but about killing someone’s spirit, someone’s hopes, someone’s dreams, someone’s ability to move on. Jesus’ “description” of “kill” encompasses more than the strict and usual definition. He gives a broad meaning that encompasses more; He challenges us as Disciples to live beyond the obvious.
Jesus states the law: “You shall not commit adultery.” Then he tells them you shall not lust even in your heart. He goes on, you get the picture! He states the Jewish laws in the Gospel and then he takes us past those parameters and into God-like sacredness and holiness. The thoroughness and dimension of His teaching is revolutionary and demanding.
In St. Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians (and us), he talks about us speaking “a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age…” He writes describing God’s wisdom; so different from man’s wisdom—and that if we had God’s wisdom Christ would not have been crucified.
Jesus says today: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” No wiggle room there… And it is great advice and food for thought, discernment and prayer. If you think about it, sticking to your word, your vows—your personal integrity in all you say and do—is sticking to your Baptismal promises as a Christian in all of it’s implications—this is truly a maturity of spirit (St. Paul). Sirach today tells us to stretch out our hands to choose life over death, and good over evil. You will be saved by making mature and wise choices. The psalm today says: “Give me discernment, that I may observe Your law and keep it in my heart.”
Now that’s a mature and wise petition…
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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