Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, texts that invite us to be ever ready for God’s coming increase in frequency. Today’s Scriptures give us wisdom on what it is God is asking of us - obedience, following God’s law, doing God’s will and announcing God’s justice. At first glance, this seems a tall order and somewhat legalistic to my North American ear. Let’s explore the deeper meaning of the text.
The root meaning of obedience does not imply a blind following, rather we are called to listen deeply and be responsible. Law is not simply a set of rules to constrain us, but a system that frees us by providing guidelines for a predictable, stable environment. In the case of God ‘s law- the Ten Commandments were given as a way that we can truly live together in a community of love where everyone is respected and their needs are met (i.e. God’s justice is done). All three synoptic Gospels tell stories of Jesus summing up the law when questioned about what commandment is the most important.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matt 22:37-40 NRSVCE)
So, living the law of God is a call to love everyone and promote the common good; a call to show respect and care, to give from the blessings we have received, thus ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met. This is God’s will or desire for us - that we will know true happiness and joy in sharing our gifts and receiving from others.
Today’s Psalm combines these concepts into a prayer that expresses our readiness and awareness of the joy and delight of living in God’s community of love. Praying Psalm 40 is a beautiful way of entering into the process of our transformation such that the ‘letter of the law’ becomes part of our spirit—our heart’s experience of loving God and thus loving our neighbor. May we each daily open our hearts a bit wider to receive God’s love, through prayers of deep listening and by surrendering our ego, fears and selfish desires. And may we proclaim God’s justice through our actions of mercy, service and justice, giving our time, treasure and talents to serve our neighbors in need.
—Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI