Sunday, February 13, 2011

Wisdom, Law and Love

The Wisdom of Jesus is not “how” He lived, but the “why”. He came and continues coming, respectful of our freedom, to encourage us to reverence our lives, the time we have and the lives and times we have with others. (Gillick SJ, 2011)

Larry Gillick SJ concludes his reflection on the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today with the importance of reflection on the “why” of Jesus incarnation. The sense of the “Law” that western thought often has is the line between “right” and wrong”. This mental picture makes it easy for us to declare when we are not going to be excluded or punished. In commercial and political matters we can pursue the “letter of the law” to determine our guilt or innocence. The psalmist praises the “Law of the Lord” and seeks to have his senses informed by the Law and to have his heart moved to seek God with the guidance of the Law. Paul writes to the Corinthians about the wonderful life prepared for those who choose to accept the invitation to an intimate relationship with the Divine. The “Concerning Oaths, Divorce, Adultery and Anger” sermon of Jesus presented in Matthew’s Gospel is an exhortation to move the “Law” to our hearts. The impact on our relationships of Oaths, Divorce, Adultery and Anger is felt and causes distance and separation as deception, unfaithful behaviour, lust and disagreement. We make daily choices about self or other and our freedom to choose self can be a change of heart away from intimacy with the Divine and other people.

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