(See the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
“Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!”
Several loud knocks. Father Mark went to the door and opened it. The man barged in before the priest could even greet him. His name was Jim. He proceeded in great anger and yelling to tell the pastor all that was wrong with the parish and it was all his fault.
“Jim,” Father Mark said, “can you wait here a minute.” Jim said, “I suppose.” A few minutes the pastor came back with a bowl of water and a towel. He knelt down on the ground. “What’s that for?” Jim barked. “Although I don’t agree with what you are saying, it is clear that you are angry with me, so I’m asking for your forgiveness. I want to wash your feet.” Jim was startled, shocked, taken aback.
He sat down and, and after a few minutes of silence, broke down in tears. He had a lot of personal things that were weighing him down, causing anxiety and fear. It all came out with the tears. He needed to someone to listen.
Father Mark could have easily gotten angry with the man as he barged in but he responded in mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Perhaps Father Mark had taken Jesus’ words to heart from this Sunday’s Gospel: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”
Jesus in the Gospel account for this liturgy is taken from the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel According to Matthew. Scholars have called Jesus’ interpretations of the law, the “antitheses” section. Here Jesus states a precept of the law by saying “you have heard it said” then states the law, then says “but I say to you.”
When reading or listening to His words it is important to keep in mind what He says introducing this section: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill … I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus’ instructions on the law are sometimes referred to as an internalization of the law. His reading of the law goes deeper than its surface level. The law is a manifestation of God’s plan for life by which all humanity lives in communion with Him and each other. He offers the law as a path toward that union. Jesus brings this overarching meaning to the fore in His instructions on the law. By internalizing the law, the hearer will take it to heart; not just the specific command but the meaning that lies within it. In doing so, the Kingdom of heaven, that state of perfect communion, becomes manifest in some manner.
Sirach in the first reading from the liturgy reminds us that wisdom has its source in God. Right living flows from His divine plan. We as human beings are called to trust in Him and be led by Him on the path to life: “if you trust in God, you too shall live.” He who lives by the commandments of the Lord are those who trust in Him and they shall be led along the path of life. So, the psalmist says: “Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart.”
The psalmist then makes a beautiful prayer or plea that he may keep to the Lord’s ways. He asks for the Lord’s help so he may “keep your words.” He asks that his eyes may be opened “that I may consider the wonders of your law.” He asks for instruction that “I may exactly observe them.” He asks for discernment “that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”
The psalmist recognizes that God is the font of right living. He also recognizes his dependance on God for understanding and walking in His path. In a certain sense, he recognizes the mystery of God’s ways and that without Him, he cannot know God’s way nor live it.
St. Paul, in the second reading, speaks of God’s way as “wisdom not of this age.” God’s way is eternal, prefect and true. A wisdom “mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” God’s ways are so far above the ways of humanity for they are of perfect love. Paul urges the Corinthians, and us, to follow the way for “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”
Jesus takes us further into the mystery of God’s way through the “antitheses.” In each case he goes beyond the letter which limits. He draws us into the heart of God’s way and invites us to take to heart the law. Using the first instance, mentioned above, as an example we see Jesus explain that anger underlies violence and the taking of human life. It is not enough to “not kill.” Rather if there is animosity among persons, they should work to reconcile.
Love and mercy, not anger, will bring healing, satisfaction and resolution. He gives an illustration in which the roots of anger are manifest – by calling someone “raqa” (empty-headed) or “fool.” These words coming out of the mouth, or thought in the mind, reveal an internal obstacle for resolution of a conflict or an obstinance that will prohibit reconciliation. Jesus adds emphasis when he associates this attitude with worship.
In a certain sense, His union of the two great commandments of love of God and neighbor, are manifest in this illustration. If one has a relationship in need of reconciliation, then he should settle this before making his offering to God. His final illustration involves a court case. The point is to settle things before they get this far. All the illustrations draw us into the meaning and purpose of the law.
The story of Father Mark and the angry parishioner is a simple illustration. In today’s divided world we encounter so much anger all the time; it is easy to get caught up in it. Father Mark could easily have reacted in anger to Jim’s outrage. He did not. Rather he remembered Jesus’ teaching on anger and took it to heart. In doing so he was able to offer reconciliation, bridge a gap in understanding and afford Jim some healing. Father Mark internalized Jesus’ interpretation of the law moving further into the mystery of His kingdom.
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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Penndel and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Read more reflections by Msgr. Prior here.
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