Two Churches

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents texts which open our consideration of the relationship between the Jewish Tradition in which Jesus is rooted and the practice of Christianity as preached  initially by Paul to the Gentiles. Friar JudeWinkler comments that perhaps we may see two different Churches in these texts. The argument of Paul to the Corinthians that the glory of the New Covenant must outshine the glory of the Covenant with Moses uses dualistic comparisons between letters that kill and Spirit that is life. He compares condemnation under the letter of the Law with justification in the Spirit. This presentation of the New Covenant to Paul’s audience of Gentiles does not work for Matthew, who was a Jew writing to Jews. Matthew tells of Jesus proclamation that He is not coming to replace the law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. Jesus specifically chastises those who would choose to break the Law as being least in the Kingdom of God. Those who struggle to keep the Law and teach others to do so will be greatest in the Kingdom. What value does the Law and Prophets bring to Christians today? The commitment to live as followers of Jesus ties us to the same mission to fulfill the Law. We stand with the psalmist as we praise God for the guidance He provides through the Tradition of Moses, Aaron and Samuel. The dualistic argument is always just a starting point for our contemplation and faith to guide us to the Way which unifies all that is good and holy.