Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Consider the saying carved in stone. “A close friend of mine described that expression as meaning something you can count on, something or something permanent.” He continued, “that it was something you could trust and know that it would be true and everlasting.”
Today’s readings draw attention to the law, something that God did indeed carve into stone. Yet, these laws are not simply on a stone from millennia ago. These laws are still lived out and written on our hearts. As people of the covenant we are called to live and teach the commandments with our thoughts, actions, and words. In St. Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth, Paul speaks from his sense that ministry is God given. Paul draws the contrast between the ministry of death and the ministry of the Spirit. “Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory, in this respect, because of the glory that surpasses it.” (2 Cor 3:6) The Mosaic Law (the original law) was glorified God through Moses. That glory shone as radiance on Moses’ face. Over time that glory faded and was overshadowed by the new covenant given to us by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. This covenant gives life and God’s glory endures forever.
Paul’s expression “ministry of death” articulates his belief that ministry focused on the letter of the law is a ministry of condemnation. If the focus of our life’s efforts is to serve only what has been taught by the law and the prophets, without the desire to do so, then our mission misses the bigger picture of why Jesus came. The Mosaic Law helps us begin to understand God’s will for us, yet ultimately our salvation comes through Jesus.
Thus in today’s gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill it.” (Mt 5:17) The law is important for Jesus, yet it is not an end unto itself. One of Jesus’ biggest criticisms of the religious leadership during his own lifetime was that their attention focused solely on the Law. The last line of today’s gospel echoes St. Paul’s idea of the ministry of the Spirit. When we live our lives as a ministry of the Spirit we “will be called the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19b)
Good and Loving God, help us to fully appreciate the law you have given us for our benefit. Remove all that prevents us from personifying the Law in the way we live, so that one day, we may live with You, who lives and reigns with you, one God forever and ever. Amen!
-Michael Montgomery