Word to the Wise
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - Tuesday in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 and Matt 7:6, 12-14]TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 TUESDAY IN THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 and Matthew 7:6, 12-14] "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn and tear you to pieces. Do to others as you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets." [Matthew]
We are nearing the end of the Sermon on the Mount which is a great collection and summation of Jesus' teachings. Two sayings are offered today. The first, about sharing what is sacred with outsiders, could recall Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman later in this gospel in which he responds to her plea for help with the statement feeding the children's food to the dogs. "Dogs" was the common Jewish negative term for Gentiles. What is sacred is not to be hoarded but neither is it to be shared indiscriminately with those who do not share the faith that creates "sacredness." It is the Canaanite woman's faith that moved Jesus to heal her daughter. All missionary efforts and ecumenical outreach has to deal with this challenge.
The second saying is one that is familiar to us - the "Golden Rule: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets." This was not a new statement to Jesus' audience, but the context in which he preaches it is new because he is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and his teaching about loving one's enemies is at the center of his preaching, as we have seen in this journey through the Sermon on the Mount. We are close to the end but there are still a few more challenges. Stay tuned! AMEN