Jesus doesn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law in a deeper way
We can learn the patterns of good and evil from studying human history. In our history, we can see every virtue and vice embraced and all the consequences that come with that. What is interesting is that we think we can keep doing the same things and get a different result. In some circles, that is the description of insanity.
Although Jesus taught us to go beyond a minimalist spiritual life, many of us are content to simply fulfill the Ten Commandments. There is a particular safety, although false safety, that comes from following the rules and thinking that’s enough. In terms of human development, we certainly hope that we have developed beyond simply following the rules and have embraced the deeper call of our connection with one another. I think we all know, in the depths of our hearts, that it is not enough to simply not murder people. We are called to honor and respect the dignity of every human person, no matter who they are or what they are doing. We strive to be like God in holiness, but often fall short.
We all know that greed is a vice, but we don’t apply that word to our willingness to take more than what is ours and to hoard a surplus just in case something bad happens. In our day, we don’t call that greed; we call that wisdom. Take a look through all the vices and virtues that we have become aware of in our lives and notice how we tend to find the vice in others and more readily find the virtue in ourselves. What we see in others and perhaps even come to hate and despise in them might truly be a mirror reflection of the parts of ourselves that we are too afraid to face.
To exclude the stranger from our midst is directly against the rule of life that Jesus has asked us to live. In the image of the last judgment, presented in Matthew’s Gospel, we see the separation of the sheep from the goats. The criteria for separation are not the Commandments, but whether we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and imprisoned and offer shelter to those who are without it. That teaching from Jesus is surpassing the Commandments and walking the deeper life with Jesus.
When we do our own personal examination of conscience, we can certainly notice, if we are honest, the ways that we have hidden behind the Commandments and refused to walk the deeper walk. Sometimes we find ourselves in deep guilt or shame and allow ourselves to be paralyzed there. The absolute love of God for each of us should free us from guilt and shame. This is no longer an appropriate place to hide and be paralyzed. Now is the time to surpass the Commandments and to be the prophetic voice and example in our world today. It is time for us to follow Jesus’s example and stand with the marginalized in our communities and families.
Who in our circle of acquaintances is the person who is most talked about behind their back? Are we courageous enough to stand up for them when they are not present and call the group out on it? When we’re in the company of friends and acquaintances and racial, ethnic or sexual jokes against others are spoken, are we a prophetic voice or one who hides in the shadows?
This is a true time to live the paradoxical life Jesus taught us. To be rich, we must be poor, to be strong we must be weak and to be full we must be empty. He did it, and so should we.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
