Posted by The WORD in other words (2017) by Fr Herbert Scholz SVD – Rome, Italy
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
When crimes and terrorist acts increase, people generally demand more laws, clamor for tougher law-enforcement, and seek stiffer penalties. They hope that these measures ensure law and order, justice, and righteousness.
Jesus’ strong words in today’s Gospel point to something more: “If your righteousness or justice does not surpass that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” If your approach to evil and wickedness does not go beyond the usual ideas you will not achieve lasting peace and order.
Jesus focuses on three well known major evils or sins. Murder, destruction of life. Jesus repeats the 5th commandment “You shall not kill” but adds “Whoever is angry with is brother will be liable to judgment.” Evil is in the interior attitude of the angry mind. This needs to be changed.
Adultery, destruction of marriage and family. Jesus reaffirms the 6th commandment : “You shall not commit adultery”. But also goes to the root of adultery: “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust had already committed adultery with her in his heart. The lustful heart, source of adultery needs to be changed.
False witness, lying words which destroyed mutual trust. Saying “Do not take a false oath” Jesus in effect repeats the 8th commandment, “You shall not bear false witness.” But again, saying “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No'” Jesus indicates the deeper foundation of honesty and truth.
Between the ordinary general human way of thinking and Christ’s way there is no opposition. But Christ’s righteousness is wider and deeper. It brings more benefit to people and communities.
The usual thinking of evil and sin is that they lie in just external action. If I only think of it, if I am not seen or caught, all is ok. Christian thinking is about evil and sin as hidden in the interior of the person. To remedy evil we need the control and force of the police. To fight evil we need a change of mind and heart, a need to embrace the right values and have informed convictions. Doing so requires education, value formation and personal development.
If by following Jesus’ teaching today we could focus on overcoming anger, developing healthy relationships according to God’s will, and practicing truth and honesty in personal life and business dealings, our world would likely be a better place to live in.
With Psalms 51, we pray: “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.” Amen.
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