Word to the Wise
Saturday, February 20, 2016 - 1st Week of Lent - Sat
[Deut 26:16-19 and Matt 5:43-48]SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016 SATURDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT [Deuteronomy 26:16-19 and Matthew 5:43-48] "You have heard it that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and unjust......So be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect." [Matthew] At various times, I have heard the expression, "Cafeteria Catholics." It is used to describe folks who pick and choose which of the Church's teachings they will believe and which ones they will reject - perhaps silently. I think the term could easily apply to Jesus' teachings as well. The Sermon on the Mount, from which today's gospel scripture comes, contains many teachings which make people uncomfortable. "Love my enemies?" "Pray for those who persecute me?" Surely Jesus didn't mean THAT!" Oh yes he did! Do I HAVE TO forgive this or that person or persons? Oh yes you do! If we reduce Jesus' teachings to the level of one of those many "self-help" books on the shelves or Internet, we make of Christianity a kind of vague, feel-good, faith. Is this the faith for which people are willing to give their lives as martyrs? In his address to the U.S. Congress, Pope Francis appealed to the "Golden Rule:" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Sermon on the Mount is a long description of what that rule means. Are we picking and choosing? AMEN