[Pearls Ep 158: Preparing for Sunday.]
In this week’s Pearls of the Interior Life we look at five particularly powerful words from Sunday’s Gospel reading (an abridged version of the passage is in the postscript).
One of the keys to Christian Meditation is to place ourself in the setting of our spiritual reading (and the Gospels are spiritual reading par excellence).
In that spirit (or, Spirit…) here are three suggestions for praying with Sunday’s Gospel:
- The five words. When Jesus says, “But I say to you” – hear those words specifically for you. Hear them as “But I say to you, Mary” or Phil, or Cathy, or Marcia (does anyone name their daughter Marcia anymore?).
- Ask “what?” The spirit of Sunday’s Gospel passage is that, in our fallen humanity, we tend to cut corners, or attempt to bargain God down to the minimum. That is what the Pharisees were doing. They gave “lip service.” Their heart wasn’t in it. Well, we all have a little Pharisee in us (some of us more than others!). Ask Jesus to show you where He wants you to go deeper. What does He say after “But I say to you ….” And that leads to the next point…
- Ask “why?” The nature of Sunday’s Gospel is negative – by necessity. Jesus is revealing where we need to do heavy renovation of our interior (“even being angry with your brother…”). BUT – everything Jesus demands of us is for our good – so that we can better glorify God and serve our neighbor. Keep in mind that the scripture passage immediately preceding this (and the subject of last week’s Pearls) is Jesus calling on us to be salt and light. He seems to have high expectations and big plans for us. And THAT is why He is exhorting us to dig deep – so that He can heal what is dimming our light and diminishing our saltiness.
Again, this weekend, hear for yourself, “But I say to you…”
And then ask, and reflect, on the “what” and “why” that Jesus desires for you.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: MT 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“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 will be liable to judgment.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”