Breaking the Word

10^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 08^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 5,17-19

Fulfilled in obedience

In this passage Jesus mandates us to love Scripture and to live to keep it. Matthew thinks that it is important for the old and new people of God to know that Jesus is not anti-law or anti-Scriptural. Israel would not be able to accept a Messiah who neglects God’s gift of Torah. Jesus does not flaunt this gift, instead he lives from it and for it, as noticed in overcoming his temptations against Satan. For Jesus the law and the prophets are the written Word of God that has a binding authority. He came to fulfill it by his own deeper obedience to it and by his own deeper interpretation of it. Matthew’s use of the word “fulfill” means accomplishment of the OT by Jesus Christ (1,22; 2,15.17.33; 4,14; 8,17; 12,17; 13,35; 21,4; 26,54; 27,9), which implies doing it in totality and fullness. In this way, Jesus did fulfill the whole of Scripture for the whole of his people and for the whole of the world. Jesus’ followers, in grateful obedience to the one who has already fulfilled the law, need to reinterpret it as Jesus did in his ministry.

10^th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 7^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 5,13-16

Better Enhancers of Others

Today’s gospel makes two assertions about the followers of Jesus. The first is that they are the salt of the earth and the second is that they are the light of the world. Both these symbols call to bring enhancement and light into the lives of others and to always give thanks to God for what God allows you to do for others. One of the most common flavor enhancers is salt. Salt helps to bring out the flavor in food. It adds to the taste of what we consume. One of the color enhancers is better light. We are challenged to bring out the good in others by the way we treat them.  In emphasizing both the aspects we are reminded to enhance the flavor in others’ lives and help them enlighten their journeying. Yet, so often we only leave a bitter taste with people and seem to cast a gloom over them. These symbols point to the indispensable role of the disciples of Jesus in the liberation of the world.  It is through the lives of the disciples that the world will be moved to glorify God. This is indeed a great privilege, but also a great responsibility.