6th Sunday Jesus Reveals all

We Americans have an odd relationship with “law”. We say we want law and order, but I wonder if we only mean that of others and not ourselves. When I worked in the mining industry we followed MSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration; it is the equivalent of OSHA. We learned that the laws of MSHA come from events and instances in which people were hurt or killed due to negligence or ignorance. A miner gets hit on the head and is hurt, so now we all have to wear hard hats. OSHA works the same way. I remember once a construction person complaining that he had to go to classes on heat management; griping about government law. Yet, he had to go because companies were forcing workers to be outside on roofs in the horrible heat of summer without providing breaks, shade or cooling; someone died, so the law was changed. If they want to eliminate laws, treat people better.

We tend to see law as something to control, manage or prohibit behavior, especially bad behavior.

When we read in Scripture “law” we automatically go to this mindset. Yet, “law” as we read in the Bible, and even in Jesus’ words is not the same. In fact it is probably a horrible translation. Even the word “commandments” is not the best of translations.

As the Hebrew people, now freed of Egyptian slavery, wandered in the desert, they needed to know God. God wanted them to know too. Moses goes to the mountain and receives the “Law”, the Torah, the 10 commandments. These are not just “laws” as we read them in our modern American mindset.

These words are a revelation of God.

These words reveal the reality of God. A God who is God alone; and a God very much interested in building community and wanting us to be a community. Those “laws” are mostly about how to get along as a society; treat each other well.  And by following these words, we come to know God and we are able to experience life! Life in the fullness! Life as God intends.

If not, there is only chaos and death; which we experienced in Genesis.

Thus, the wise person, seeking harmony, seeking integrity, seeking peace or shalom or wholeness acts and is as God acts and is.

Jesus fulfills the law, not because he obeys everything, because clearly in the eyes of the scholars he does not.

Jesus fulfills the law because he is the fullness of revelation of God, the Father.

Jesus reveals the extent, which is infinite, to which God desires us, God desires our communion with God, God desires our communion with each other.

The Paschal Mystery, the death and resurrection reveal God beyond that of any “law” or “command”. God gives of Godself even unto death. God forgives anything, if we seek that forgiveness.

No longer do we need to live in fear of death; no longer do we need to live only for ourselves and think this is the way to be. No longer do we need to think chaos is life.

Jesus reveals to us the way of Life, the truth of life, the fullness of life.

Remember what he says in this Gospel, it is all about mercy, forgiveness, seeking to reconcile, seeking to build community. He teaches us, as disciples, the depth of the law. Jesus invites us to be engaged in living.

This will test our American and our overall western philosophy: my rights. We have focused a lot of energy into protecting “my” right to do what “I” want and what “I” want to own. God forbid anything, anyone take that or impinge on that. This comes from the so-called left and right; same attitude, just different concerns.

We see the resulting chaos in our society: death because the right to choose, death because of the right to own guns, death because I have to right to hoard my stuff, my money; my right to impose vengeance.

And in our own lives…death and chaos. I will not forgive; I will not show mercy; I will not give. My way only, nothing else.

We have been shown better; and being a eucharistic people, we are called to live better.

Francis of Assisi had that revelation, and in that scandalous way, took off his own rich clothes to signify he would live differently.

More modern day persons, Dorothy Day having her conversion and giving her efforts for the workers in our society.

Always Fr. Greg Boyle SJ, and his efforts to aid those who feel lost in Los Angeles.

Talk with the many volunteers at Catholic Charities and other aid agencies; and the sense of peace and fulfillment they experience when they help others.

Listen to anyone who after years of holding onto hurt and anger, finally were able to give forgiveness; and also accept forgiveness.

Listen to married couples, and how they thrived after decades: through communication, compromise, self-giving and forgiveness.

Watch where and when life flourishes. It will be with those living in communion with friends, family, even strangers; and with the world around.

Jesus brings us to this life, calls us to this life. Can we, will we follow?