Jesus sat in the middle of the crowd on the hillside. Some of them had been with him for a few days as he began his public ministry, but many of them were new today. They had all come to hear his teaching. Rumors were running wild about what he was going to say. Most of the rumors were about this new kingdom he had announced was at hand. Everyone was interested in a new kingdom. They weren’t at all happy about the one that the Romans had imposed on them. And the age-old kingdom overseen by the priests, scribes and Pharisees had become pretty unbearable, too, with all those laws that no one could ever hope to follow. So the rumors of a new kingdom brought them all out. Whatever he offered would be an improvement. No more oppressive Romans. No more old laws. That’s what Jesus is going to do for us. You can just imagine the excitement in their voices as they wait to hear from him. “Shhhhhhhhhh! He’s about to speak.” Jesus finds a large rock jutting out in the middle of them all, sits down, and speaks: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
The crowd is stunned. Jesus continues, “Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” He goes on, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” He points to a group of Pharisees watching the whole thing from a safe distance.
The Pharisees smile at each other. “More righteous than us? Who is he kidding?” At the same time, the crowds look at the group and chuckle, “More righteous than them?” They got the point. The people recognized the Pharisees as the keepers of the law. They kept it – tightly. They memorized it, and taught their disciples to memorize it. But follow it? That’s another matter. So many of them followed the law only if it benefitted them as they offered sacrifice to God. But, they really didn’t care about the people.
Jesus continues, this time giving examples of what he meant when he said that he had come to fulfill the law, “You have heard that you shall not kill. But I tell you that even if you harbor anger against your brother, you are liable to judgment. Get angry enough to call someone ‘Raqa’, which means ‘imbecile’ and you are liable. Burn inside with a grudge and you will end up burning in the fires of the Hinnon Valley.” As you probably know, that valley at the edge of Jerusalem burned 24 hours a day with the garbage and trash of the city. It resembled hell itself. Our God is a God of life who loves us all. Just as he has to be patient with each of us, God calls us to be patient with each other.
And, in case we do offend one another, Jesus calls for reconciliation, teaching the crowds – and us: “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” We have already asked for God’s forgiveness as we started Mass with the Penitential Act. Before we come up to receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we are called to extend his peace, a clear sign of the reconciliation he calls us to extend to anyone with whom we still have a quarrel.
Jesus goes on to clarify the laws on adultery and divorce and swearing. In each case, he makes it clear that those in God’s kingdom will live in true love of one another and respect for God as God. Jesus has come to announce this kingdom. That is his good news. The offer made on the hillside then still stands now. As we hear in today’s first reading, “If you trust in God, you too shall live. He has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.” Of course, fire burns and destroys; water gives life. Using this very powerful imagery, we hear Sirach in today’s first reading instruct the people of Israel – and us – to trust in God and keep his commandments, for we will be saved by doing so. Before us are good and evil, life and death, Sirach says. Whichever we choose shall be given to us. Life itself, and our salvation, are certainly blessings from God. Choosing to follow the laws of the Lord leads to these blessings – blessings in this life and eternal salvation in heaven. This is what our faith is all about, isn’t it? That’s why we are gathered here today around our Lord’s Table: to hear his life-saving Word and receive his nourishing Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
In today’s second reading, Saint Paul speaks of the wisdom of God, predetermined before the ages for our glory. St. Paul speaks of God’s plan for our salvation, based on a wisdom that is not of this age – neither the age of St. Paul nor ours. Jesus, the Word of God made man, revealed God’s wisdom as he dwelt among us. He is wisdom incarnate. He is the fulfillment of the divine law that God revealed to our ancestors in the faith. Remember, when Jesus was asked which of the laws was most important, he summed them up very simply: love God and love your neighbor. That is the fulfilment of the law and the prophets.
This morning, in the shadow of Valentine’s Day, we honor and pray for those among us who have dedicated themselves to love of God and neighbor in a particular way: through the sacrament of marriage. Whether they were married just a few months ago or many years ago, they have stood before God and committed themselves to each other in love. And, they have learned – by trial and error – how best to love their spouses and their families. And, God has blessed them with his abundant love. In just a few minutes, we will ask God’s particular blessings on them, that they may remain strong in their marriage commitment throughout their lives.
And, let us all make sure that our attitude is the same as Jesus’ so that our actions will also be the same. Let us seek a wisdom that is mature, as Paul encourages us in today’s second reading, not a wisdom of this age, which is often self-centered and self-seeking. Indeed, blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! Let us live full of trust in God, loving God and neighbor, just as Jesus did. Then, we too, will be blessed as we help to bring God’s kingdom into our midst.