Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
I’m sure we’ve all had to present ourselves with our qualifications at one point or another. When searching for a job, we look at the qualifications section of the job description to know whether or not we would be considered for the position. Candidates running for public office present their qualifications and must meet certain criteria to be eligible. We must be qualified to apply for loans, receive credit cards, and the like. We’re used to having to “measure up” to be considered worthy of positions, privileges, and opportunities. How glorious it is that with God, we do not have to become qualified ourselves, it is God who qualifies us in Christ! Today, may we find renewed confidence in Christ and rest in our belovedness as God’s daughters and sons.
In our first reading, St Paul is doing a “midrash” on Exodus 34:29-35. A midrash is a commentary on the Hebrew scriptures. Paul is operating out of the rabbinic tradition and offers his own midrash, or interpretation of this text from Exodus. Paul describes the glory of the Mosaic covenant as “fading,” because the Law could not bring salvation to God’s people. In contrast, the new covenant in Christ, ministered to us by the Spirit, is surpassingly glorious and enduring. It is through this glorious new covenant that we find life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish, but to fulfill.” Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and prophetic teaching is summed up in his commandment to love God and neighbor. We participate in the new covenant in Christ as we live lives of love. Obedience to the scriptures and church teaching flows from our love for God and neighbor, not from a consistent effort to be law-abiding or “qualified.” When love is our starting point and our groundedness, obedience, charity, and virtue follows along accordingly. How extraordinary it is that it is divine love that qualifies us and then impels us to faithful living. Can we believe today that it is love that qualifies us and not works?
Our readings this past Sunday for the Feast of Corpus Cristi were all about the new covenant in Christ. We are a covenant people, and our participation in the Eucharist “qualifies” us to be and become the Body of Christ for the world. From the riches of God’s extravagant gift to us of unconditional love, mercy, and grace in the Precious Body and Blood, we are partakers in the divine life. “Brothers and Sisters: Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit . . .” Let this truth expressed by St Paul wash over you and renew you this day. Perhaps part of our conversion today might be stepping out in renewed confidence as ministers of the new covenant.
Today, what does it mean to you that you are a minister of the new covenant in Christ? Can you let go of any need to qualify yourself to receive God’s favor and might you rest in the confidence of the One who qualifies you? Let’s spend some time reflecting today on God’s unconditional love and the wonder of being qualified without having to earn it. Talk with God about anything that might be preventing you from entering into this gracious reality in Christ. God bless you this day to know your worthiness and your qualification in Christ. Thanks be to God! Amen!
Elizabeth Wourms