RBWords

     Although this encounter between Jesus and a scribe is set within a series of encounters with various adversaries in Jerusalem, including other scribes, this particular scribe seems to have some positive things going for him.  Scribes were the experts in the Mosaic Law, but they were also important in daily life because they could read and write and were necessary for much of the business and contract world of their time.  It may have been that this particular scribe was testing Jesus on the law, as did the Sadducees in yesterday's gospel segment, but Jesus saw a glimmer of hope in him because he had his priorities right when it came to law and worship.  This put him in a position of possible openness to faith in Jesus.  This is why Jesus said, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."  The scribe only needed to make that next step - to believe in Jesus.

     Love of God and neighbor are the cornerstones of faith.  When we put law and religious observance ahead of these values, we are in danger of distorting Jesus' teaching and making the Kingdom of God unattractive.  Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken about this.  His first document, "The Joy of the Gospel" and his recent "Rejoice and Be Glad" warn about excessive concern for liturgical and canonical exactness.  There's no question that some "protocols" are necessary for a community to function, but in every community there seem to be vigilantes whose lives are dedicated to making both God and neighbor adhere to the rules!  Jesus' encounter with the scribe should remind us of what brings us to the Kingdom of God.  AMEN