[Pearls Ep 158: Answering atheism Tuesday.]
As we finish reflecting on Sunday’s Gospel, we note that Jesus turns everything inside out by starting with the Old Testament law, and then showing how we are meant to not just blindly go through the motions, but allow the OT law to transform our interior.
But this presupposes that we know what the Law is in the first place.
In Sunday’s second reading, St. Paul hovers right over this target:
We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.
Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew…
That passage is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. When he wrote that letter to the Christian community in Corinth about 5 years had passed since its founding and they were falling into many errors – sexual immorality, abuses of the liturgy, heresies (denying Jesus’ resurrection) and other troubles.
Starting a Church isn’t for the faint of heart! Even when you have the Holy Spirit on your side…
The young Church in Corinth was being led astray by false teachings and practices.
St. Paul could have easily made statements, like, “You have heard it said that Jesus did not rise from the dead…” and “You have heard it said that a man can live with his father’s wife…” (seriously).
It’s no different in our time. There are many voices giving us messages (some coming from inside the Church) that would turn us from the Gospel. “You have heard it said that we should accept men pretending to be women…” and “You have heard it said that all religions are equally good…” and “You have heard it said that you’re perfect just the way you are …”
None of this confusion and false teaching comes as a surprise to God. In the first reading, from Sirach, God says, “Set before you are fire and water; to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand. Before everyone are life and death, whichever they choose will be given them.”
So, how are we to choose between “fire and water” and “life and death”? How do we confidently distinguish the “fake news” of the world from the Truth of Christ?
Well, that is what it’s really all about – isn’t it? That is the whole point of growing in relationship with Christ. That is how we come to “a wisdom to those who are mature” – which is to be able to distinguish “misinformation” from the real McCoy. Jesus put it this way, “My sheep know My voice.”
The silence of Lent is God’s gift for us to tune our ear to that Voice.
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.”