Breaking the Word

11^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 15^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 6,1-6.16-18

Motivation for Righteous Deeds

This section is in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. The subject matter in focus is on the personal piety in the areas of giving, praying and fasting. The initial reading will show that the basic teaching of Jesus will be to avoid the pretentious show of piety and to seek to please God. The pattern of his teaching will include first something to be avoided (vv.2,5,16), then something to do (vv.3,6,17), and finally the promise of reward for doing it right (vv.4,6,18). The verb ‘reward’ appears seven times in this passage, which is interlinked with the purpose of one’s righteous act. The first time the word appears in the general instruction (v.1) is with its denial. In the three examples of personal piety the word is paired and balanced. In the show case of activities, the ‘reward’ of public acclaim takes place in full measure, which is highlighted in the past tense, whereas God’s reward is futuristic and private, which is eschatological. At times true piety means doing something without any consideration of reward. But the Biblical instructions always promise reward from the Father in heaven. If then, how will we know if we have pleased God? It is very difficult to measure. It is to be felt by one’s motivation for the righteous deeds that is directed from the heart and it brings a deeper sense of God’s affirmation with his pat on the back, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.

11^th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 14^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 5,43-48

Language of Perfection 

Jesus offers His challenge to his disciples by raising the standard higher. Loving (5,43), praying for (5,44), and forgiving (6,14-15) one’s enemy is an extension of Jesus’ broader teaching about the perfection of God (5,48). It is not easy to love those who harm and shame, or even our enemies. This counter intuitive act requires prayer and that calls for forgiveness. Such practices beforehand will benefit a person’s right action in life. For this style of life, Jesus provides a stimulating image to capture the basic quality of God, one that God’s followers should imitate. Later in Matthew’s story, Jesus confronts a rich man, who has faithfully followed the commandments of his religious tradition (19,16-22). This man still recognizes that something is missing (19,20). Jesus’ response to him is shocking: “sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor” (19,21). This incomplete action is classified to be “perfect” (19,21). Jesus desires this type of maturity from his followers. It is an invitation to begin living in God’s reign. His direction is: to love our enemies, to pray for those who harm us, to care for those who will not be able to give back to us. This teaching stems from a theological conviction that since God is perfect, so should the followers of God be. Just as God provides good things (sunshine and rain) for the just and the unjust, so must God’s followers treat others (whether ‘good’ or ‘evil’) with consistent love (5,45). Care for the other – despite the other’s actions – sums up the language of perfection, maturity, and fulfillment in life.