Matthew 5:17-37
Meditatio (Reflecting)
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.‚I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Oratio (Responding)
These teachings on the sermon on the mount are often debated among modernists as jesus softening the law given in the ten commandments. I think this is because they directly follow the beatitudes. And those are indeed a very passive response to the trials and evils of the world. So where is the truth in all of this. Well the beatitudes are indeed a soft view of how we are to be in this world and the next. They speak to the meek nature of the lord, a nature that is primarily sacrificial, but also forgiving, and generous, and always wanting to be of service. This is not passivism, it is a state of mind that puts other people first, and makes sacrifice rather than taking what you want. And this bring us to today’s readings. Jesus is reviewing the Jewish law and saying that you jews have been lied to about the law from the Pharisees and the scribes. The keepers of the law, in order to keep from transgressing the law have made so many rules and loopholes to the law that no one ever thinks of why the law was given in the first place. Lets use the first one he mentions, “thou shall not kill”. This law was given to the jews to remind them that life is precious, and every person regardless of stature or status has infinite dignity and worth. Before this law, the world was run by strong men that took what they wanted and killed anyone that got in the way. Our lord reminds us that no one has the right to take another life, and only the lord gets to do that. So Jesus, not watering down the law, says that anyone that is even angry with his brother is liable to the same judgement. So we must confront the thoughts, feelings and actions that lead to the evil that the 10 commandments forbid. If we set up a rule for our lives that prevented us from even being angry, then we would never even get close to act of raising a hand against another. This is the true meaning and purpose of the law to prevent the greater evil. The act of murder can be accidental, but it is often the result of a very long line of much smaller sins, that built upon each other one after another, and that is what Jesus is doing here. Strengthening the law so that the greater evil never happens. So the beatitudes are the vision and plan that god has for this world and for heaven, they are the what the lord has always wanted for us from the beginning in the garden of eden, and they will be our rule of life when we get to heaven. But while he understands that most of us will fall short of that vision, he gave us the 10 commandments to prevent us from doing evil, but even under this law we found a way to commit evil in the name of the law. And so Jesus is tightening the law, raising the bar, and expecting more from us. We should seriously consider this gift, because it is the only way that we have to find our way to eternity with the lord.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.
Resolutio (Resolving)
Oh lord, help me today to follow your law, but. more embrace the beatitudes. I want to be with you lord in eternity. Please help me today to discern your law, and understand the life you want me to live. Amen.