There are two ideas so intertwined in today’s readings that I never realized their connection until I started reflecting on them. Check out these lines from today’s first reading, from Deuteronomy: “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”
Did you catch that? The law — as provided by the speaker — is equated with God.
Generally speaking, you can’t do that unless it’s justified. Like, if I were to say, “Is not our God better than all other gods? And is not this peach cobbler better than anyone else’s?” . . . well, that’d be a bit weird. You can’t tie your concept to God without a really good reason.
So the fact that Deuteronomy is part of our Sacred Scripture means that there must be a good reason, that the connection between the two is justified, and it’s worthy of reflection.
In our secular world, laws are predominantly designed to keep our physical selves safe. Speed limits are to help ensure we don’t kill ourselves (or each other) going too fast, food labeling and testing requirements keep us from getting sick, and laws prohibiting violence or bodily harm provide boundaries by which we can go about our lives peacefully.
Some of the laws of the religious world quite possibly have origins in the same vein. It’s almost impossible for ritual cleanliness to be a bad thing, even if developed millennia before germ theory and an understanding that washing was a good idea in general. Avoiding pork or shellfish is the smart call in a society where cooking techniques may not ensure that they’re safe to eat. Taking at least one day off out of every seven is a good way to avoid working yourself to death. And so on.
But other aspects of the law are designed for our spiritual health and to ensure our collective well-being. Providing food and shelter to widows and orphans may not make you safe, but it helps the well-being of society in many ways; if you’re a father and husband, it’s easier to go off to defend your land if you know your family will be taken care of if you die . . . and if you’re a wife and mother, it’s easier to permit your spouse to protect your nation if you know it won’t mean automatic ruin if he doesn’t return. Restrictions against taking the LORD’s name in vain helps to ensure that you recognize God’s primacy above all else, and that you do not take words or oaths trivially.
In the secular world, breaking a law may not immediately have any deleterious effects. If I drive 90 miles per hour when the speed limit is 55, I could well arrive at my destination without a scratch. If I’m a farmer and I shrug my shoulders at cleanliness regulations, it’s quite possible my food will still be safe. But — eventually — if I keep breaking the law, it will catch up with me, and someone’s going to get hurt.
In the spiritual realm, I can’t say with certainty that any single specific minor action or inaction is enough to put me in hell. But — following the same logic as the secular law — if I continue to neglect my spiritual well-being, there will be dire consequences.
Jesus says in today’s Gospel selection from Matthew, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” In a lot of ways, Christ’s message is that you can’t follow a textbook rigor of legalistic commandments; rather, you need to follow the spirit of love in the two great commandments: Love God, and love your neighbor.
This means that your life is potentially harder, from a purely “mathematical” standpoint. Sure, eating bacon may now be permitted, but you’re also expected to go out of your way to help someone in need, like the “good Samaritan.” We don’t stone adulterers as Christians, but the covenant of marriage means that we need to do everything in our power to forgive and work with a spouse whose actions we may find gut-wrenching . . . even as secular society says the easiest thing to do is just divorce.
Let’s face facts: We aren’t getting into Heaven without God. There is nothing we can do to “force” God into opening up the pearly gates for us. However, in our actions we can develop a discipline that makes it easier for us to walk with God . . . and, ultimately, it is that journey that gets us to Heaven. Jesus wants us to love God and our neighbor, and all the Faith’s “laws” can ultimately be traced back to Him and His teachings. So, in utter truth, Jesus is the fulfillment of the law . . . it’s up to us if we want to follow Him.
Let’s face facts: We aren’t getting into Heaven without God. There is nothing we can do to “force” God into opening up the pearly gates for us. However, Jesus wants us to love God and our neighbor, and all the Faith’s “laws” can ultimately be traced back to Him and His teachings. We can use the “laws” of Faith to make it easier for us to walk with God . . . and, ultimately, it is that journey that gets us to Heaven. In utter truth, Jesus is the fulfillment of the law . . . it’s up to us if we want to walk with Him.
Today’s readings: Dt 4:1,5-9; Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20; Mt 5:17-19
