Word to the Wise
Thursday, June 12, 2008 - Thursday in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time
[1 Kings 18:41-46 and Matthew 5:20-26]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 or sister will be liable to judgment....
.... A couple of days ago, the gospel scripture began a trek through the "Sermon on the Mount" in the Gospel of Matthew. It was noted that Jesus took the position of a teacher and then yesterday it was noted that he challenges his students to go beyond the "law." Today we have a sample of this "going beyond." One of the characteristics of the law was its concern with external conduct. Jesus takes the matter further by including thoughts and intentions. It is not enough that we refrain from strangling the irritating individual. We are challenged to avoid thinking about strangling that person! It is not enough that we are prevented from committing a particular act - we have already sinned by intending to do so! The connection between the internal and external in a person is where integrity resides. That which is deepest or most concealed in our thoughts is as much a part of our conduct as the movement of our physical person in regard to certain actions. We cannot compartmentalize ourselves when it comes to God's eye! We may be able to maintain a facade of integrity to the world about us, but God sees into the heart. This is why Jesus, in this same gospel scripture, challenges us to reconciliation before worship. If we claim to love God and we hate our neighbor, there is no integrity to the worship. The Sermon on the Mount is Christianity 101! As we get further into the course over the next few days, we may wonder if we should have taken the "remedial course" instead. What we cannot afford to do is drop the course altogether! AMEN
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