The message of reconciliation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the experience of replacing distress caused by separation from love with acceptance and forgiveness.

Home for reunion

The reading from the Book of Joshua recalls rites at Gilgal that marked the entry to the Promised Land of the Hebrews from Egypt.

* [5:9] The place is called Gilgal: by popular etymology, because of the similarity of sound with the Hebrew word gallothi, “I have removed.” Gilgal probably means “circle,” i.e., the place of the circle of standing stones. Cf. 4:4–8. 

Psalm 34 teaches the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22).2 

The passage from 2 Corinthians is the declaration by Paul of our Ministry of Reconciliation.

* [5:18–21] Paul attempts to explain the meaning of God’s action by a variety of different categories; his attention keeps moving rapidly back and forth from God’s act to his own ministry as well. Who has reconciled us to himself: i.e., he has brought all into oneness. Not counting their trespasses: the reconciliation is described as an act of justification (cf. “righteousness,” 2 Cor 5:21); this contrasts with the covenant that condemned (2 Cor 3:8). The ministry of reconciliation: Paul’s role in the wider picture is described: entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19), he is Christ’s ambassador, through whom God appeals (2 Cor 5:20a). In v. 20b Paul acts in the capacity just described.3 

In the Gospel from Luke, The Parable of the Lost Son, speaks to us of overwhelmingly generous, unconditional love.

* [15:1–32] To the parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:1–7) that Luke shares with Matthew (Mt 18:12–14), Luke adds two parables (the lost coin, Lk 15:8–10; the prodigal son, Lk 15:11–32) from his own special tradition to illustrate Jesus’ particular concern for the lost and God’s love for the repentant sinner.4 

Kyle Lierk notes that not unlike the sons in today’s Gospel, we all experience various temptations and disordered attachments that take us far away from home. We greet ourselves with disdain or shame when we look in the mirror in the morning, we allow screens and substances to numb or distract us, and we feed seemingly insatiable appetites fueled by our inflated egos and irrational fears. This is all a very real part of the human journey. We find ourselves in distant lands experiencing a deep hunger for which there is only one sustaining solution.

St. Ignatius of Loyola most certainly could identify with these sons.  Later in his life, he came to see the vanity and greed that fueled his earlier years.  The stubbornness and pride he displayed during a battle with the French at Pamplona resulted in a wound that would not only bring him back home in the literal sense, but would be the catalyst for his coming into his spiritual home and healing with God.  In the Spiritual Exercises and, more particularly, the First Principle and Foundation, St. Ignatius teaches that we were created to be with God and that the things of this world can either help or hinder that. As the modern translation of the First Principle and Foundation by Jacqueline Bergan and Sr. Marie Schwan states, “I am from love, of love, for love.”  Famously put another way by St. Augustine, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”5 

Peter Edmonds SJ, a member of the Jesuit community at Loyola House, Wimbledon, asks what was Christ doing when he died on the cross and rose from the tomb? We have learnt on a previous Sunday that he was transforming us. Now we learn that he was reconciling us. In fact, Paul adds, he was creating us anew, because ‘for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation’.

 This teaching of Paul prepares us for the reconciliation related in the gospel when the father of the prodigal son gives the order, ‘Quick. Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet’. All this is possible, says Paul, because ‘God made the sinless one into sin’. This truth provides us with the doctrinal foundation for Jesus’s teaching and behaviour, illustrated in gospel parables such as the one we hear today. As a penitent church founded on firm faith and solid hope, we are summoned to unite ourselves with Christ, and Paul himself, and to exercise a ministry of reconciliation in a world marked by so many divisions.6

Don Schwager quotes “The Father redeems his son with a kiss,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"'He fell on his neck and kissed him.' This is how the father judges and corrects his wayward son and gives him not beatings but kisses. The power of love overlooked the transgressions. The father redeemed the sins of his son by his kiss, and covered them by his embrace, in order not to expose the crimes or humiliate the son. The father so healed the son's wounds as not to leave a scar or blemish upon him. 'Blessed are they,' says Scripture 'whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered' (Romans 4:7)." (excerpt from SERMON 3)7 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 suggests that rather than calling it the parable of the prodigal son, we should call it the parable of the forgiving father. This is not a story only about one son. It’s a story about two sons and their father. And as a parable, this story tells us about our heavenly Father’s infinite love for us.

The prodigal son’s older brother, however, was already “alive.” He was faithful and hardworking. But he also needed a conversion. He may have been obedient to his father, but a lot of sinful thoughts still occupied his mind. This fellow needed “ongoing conversion,” a deeper turning away from his habits of resentment, anger, and self-righteousness.
Even if we believe in Jesus, pray every day, and go to Mass regularly, we still need ongoing conversion. We can be trying our best to live good lives and to care for our families. But we can fall into judgmental, self-righteous, self-centered ways of thinking. And so God asks us to keep turning to him for help and healing.8 

Friar Jude Winkler shares that the people of God, with Joshua, who crossed over to the promised land began to be responsible for their own nourishment and in freedom susceptible to temptation in success. Our contrition for our sins may not be completely sincere, yet God forgives. Friar Jude describes God as a loving parent wanting us to accept Mercy.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that sooner or later, if we are on any classic “spiritual schedule,” some event, person, death, idea, or relationship will enter our life with which we simply cannot cope using our present skill set, acquired knowledge, or willpower. Spiritually speaking, we will be led to the edge of your own private resources.

 The Gospels teach us that life is tragic but then graciously added that we can survive and will even grow from this tragedy. This is the great turnaround! It all depends on whether we are willing to see down as up or, as Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) put it, “where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” [2] Lady Julian of Norwich (1342–1416) said it even more poetically, and I paraphrase: “First there is the fall, and then we recover from the fall—and both are the mercy of God!” [3]
The Prayer of Abandonment by Brother Charles de Foucauld (1858–1916) expresses openness and intention to give up control to God in the middle of life, even before our physical death:9

The decision to run with our freedom and life to please ourselves is taken even as the generosity of our loving Parent/Creator watches us, “a long way off,” prepared to restore our relationship in an instant.

References

1	(n.d.). CHAPTER 5 Rites at Gilgal. 1When all the kings of the Amorites to the .... Retrieved March 31, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/joshua/joshua5.htm
2	(n.d.). psalm 34 - usccb. Retrieved March 31, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/psalms34.htm
3	(n.d.). 2 Corinthians, chapter 5 - usccb. Retrieved March 31, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5
4	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 15 - usccb. Retrieved March 31, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/15
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 31, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(2019, March 6). Preparing for Easter with St Paul | Thinking Faith: The online journal of .... Retrieved March 31, 2019, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/preparing-easter-st-paul
7	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 31, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
8	(2019, March 30). 3rd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 31, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/31/
9	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 31, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/

Humility compassion and awareness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to examine our spiritual practice for the humility and compassion that leads to greater awareness of God and others.

awareness of compassion

The Prophet Hosea observes that presumptuous Israel expects that soon God will renew them.

* [6:2] After two days; on the third day: presumptuous Israel expects that soon God will renew them (cf. Ez 37).1

In Psalm 51 the verses assume that the rebuilt Temple will be an ideal site for national reconciliation.

* [51:20–21] Most scholars think that these verses were added to the Psalm some time after the destruction of the Temple in 587 B.C. The verses assume that the rebuilt Temple will be an ideal site for national reconciliation.2 

In the Gospel from Luke the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrates how humility connects us with Mercy.

* [18:15–19:27] Luke here includes much of the material about the journey to Jerusalem found in his Marcan source (Lk 10:1–52) and adds to it the story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1–10) from his own particular tradition and the parable of the gold coins (minas) (Lk 19:11–27) from Q, the source common to Luke and Matthew.3

Steve Scholer invites us to pause and assess our own humility. In our daily prayers to God are we sometimes like the Pharisee reminding him about all the good things we have done? Or, do we embrace humility as a sign of our growing spiritual development and willingness to accept a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God?

Being humble is a freeing experience. You don’t feel the need to compare yourselves with others, be it the car they drive or the house they live in, because you know yourself and don’t need someone else’s opinion to validate your own self-worth. The only opinion that matters is God’s.
Humility makes it easy for us to interact with others, as the humble person rarely takes offense at slights, real or imagined, and is quick to acknowledge their own errors. Humility also leads to greater compassion, as a deeper awareness of our own faults and weaknesses makes it easier to be understanding of those who, like us, have stumbled along the way.4 

Don Schwager quotes “God's mercy is our only hope,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Driven out of paradise by You and exiled in a distant land, I cannot return by myself unless You, O Lord, come to meet me in my wandering. My return is based on hope in your mercy during all of my earthly life. My only hope, the only source of confidence, and the only solid promise is your mercy." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 24,5)5  

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 18:9-14 asserts that these two characters show us a key element to prayer. Fruitful prayer involves moving away from ourselves and toward God. It involves listening to his words of mercy rather than offering him our words of self-congratulation.

 We know how much of a struggle it can be to keep God at the center of our prayer. We might have pressing concerns that fight for our attention. We might be tired and find our minds wandering. Or we might find it hard to focus because we are excited about some good news—or bad news—we have just heard. God knows it’s a struggle. He knows the obstacles we face, and he is delighted with our efforts to turn our minds and hearts back to him.
Keep that in mind as you approach God in prayer today. Whether it’s your own personal prayer or prayer at the vigil Mass this evening, know that God waits eagerly, like a parent ready to scoop up his child the moment the child lifts her arms toward him.6

Friar Jude Winkler points to the likely intervention of God after a period of three days in Hosea. Sincere penitential practice expresses our intention to change “from today on”. Friar Jude invites us to recognize our brokenness and seek from God that which we cannot provide.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, presents this week’s invitation to contemplative practice from Jim Marion’s book Putting on the Mind of Christ.

 In the spiritual path we cannot jump steps. We must start exactly where we are now... Second, we must listen to the “small still voice” of the Spirit within (see 1 Kings 19:11-13)... Third, we must work hard on ourselves. . . Fourth, we must be patient. The spiritual path takes years. . .Fifth, we should find a community of people who think as we do, who are as serious about the spiritual path as we are, and who can pray with us and support us. As Jesus said, two or three gathered in his name are far more effective than going it alone (Matthew 18:20).7

The humble approach of the tax collector is a model to increase our awareness of the state of our transformation and our need to be the mercy and compassion we seek to others.

References

1	(n.d.). Hosea, chapter 6 - usccb. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hosea/6
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 51 - usccb. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 18 - usccb. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/18
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(2019, March 29). 3rd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/30/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/

Love trust and freedom

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the freedom we experience through trust in God and our conformation to his Will that we embrace Love for all people and creation.

Freedom in trust and love

Hosea outlines living with the dedication to sincere conversion and new life.

 * [14:4] These good intentions promise a reversal of Israel’s sins: no more reliance on “Assyria,” i.e., on foreign alliances (see notes on 8:9 and 12:2), on “horses,” i.e., on human power (10:13), and on idolatry (8:4–6; 13:2). Israel will trust in the Lord alone.1

Psalm 81 exhorts if Israel repents, God will be with them once again.

* [Psalm 81] At a pilgrimage feast, probably harvest in the fall, the people assemble in the Temple in accord with the Sinai ordinances (Ps 81:2–6). They hear a divine word (mediated by a Temple speaker) telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9), gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11), which would bring punishment if they refused to obey (Ps 81:12–13). But if Israel repents, God will be with them once again, bestowing protection and fertility (Ps 81:14–16).2 

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus connects the question of the scribe to the Great Commandment.

* [12:13–34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf. also Mk 2:1–3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mk 12:34).3 

Barbara Dilly asks: What does the commandment to love God with all our hearts have to do with the prophet Hosea’s words about how God supports those who trust in Him? What does it have to do with the Psalmist’s reminder of our liberation?

Reflecting on these passages today helps me understand that Jesus is calling me to discern carefully where I place my trust, am I really listening to the one God, and am I responding to my faith wisely.  Who or what is my God? Am I wasting my time with burnt offerings and sacrifices to alien gods when I should be focusing my life on loving God and others? Am I really listening to God? 4 

Don Schwager quotes “The fire of God's love,” by Augustine of Hippo,354-430 A.D.

"Gravity keeps everything in its own place. Fire climbs up, while a stone goes down. Elements that are not in their own place are restless until they find it. This applies also to us. My weight is my love; wherever I go, I am driven by it. By the love of God we catch fire ourselves and, by moving up, find our place and our rest." (excerpt from Confessions 13,9)5  

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10 shares that today, just as in Hosea’s time, God continues to plead with his people to come back to him. Since Lent is all about God’s call to come home, let’s listen for his voice in the words of Hosea.

Take with you words (Hosea 14:3). God knows that the act of confessing our sins is the first step toward freedom. Naming them aloud is the best way to bring them into the light, where the Lord can free us. Isn’t this what happens in Confession? Our words of repentance have the power to unlock the chains that have dragged us down. It’s not always easy, though, to find the right words. But that doesn’t matter to the Lord.6 

Friar Jude Winkler explains how Hosea saw his love of his unfaithful wife, Gomer, as a paradigm of the love of God for Israel. We love God with heart or intellect, soul or our very life essence, mind or conscience, and strength or our physical possessions. Friar Jude notes that the scribe who set out to trick Jesus concludes that Jesus has authority and wisdom.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Meister Eckhart [1], “The eye with which I see God is the same eye with which God sees me: my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, and one love” and reflects on what David Benner calls “spirit-centered awakening.” Love, trust, and freedom are characteristic experiences of God in our transformation to living in union with One.

References

1	(n.d.). Hosea, chapter 14 - usccb. Retrieved March 29, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hosea/14
2	(n.d.). Psalm 81 - usccb. Retrieved March 29, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/81
3	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 12 - usccb. Retrieved March 29, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/12
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 29, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 29, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 3rd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 29, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/29
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 29, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/

Hard hearts in opposition

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today puts us on guard to the hardness of heart that may draw us away from our journey to truth, beauty, and goodness.

On the journey

Jeremiah addresses abuses in worship in the people of Jerusalem at the time of the exile.

Jeremiah... Abuses in Worship1

Psalm 95 is an invitation to praise God. It regularly opens the Church’s official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours.

* [Psalm 95] Twice the Psalm calls the people to praise and worship God (Ps 95:1–2, 6), the king of all creatures (Ps 95:3–5) and shepherd of the flock (Ps 95:7a, 7b). The last strophe warns the people to be more faithful than were their ancestors in the journey to the promised land (Ps 95:7c–11). This invitation to praise God regularly opens the Church’s official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours.2 

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus answers the strange connection made by the people to Beelzebul.

* [11:19] Your own people: the Greek reads “your sons.” Other Jewish exorcists (see Acts 19:13–20), who recognize that the power of God is active in the exorcism, would themselves convict the accusers of Jesus. See also note on Mt 12:273 

MaryLee Brock shares “Praying and singing Psalm 95 has always been so meaningful for me: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts”. I could not imagine a time when I would harden my heart to God’s voice. But now I realize that hearing the voice of God does not just happen in times of joy and gratitude and prayer.”

This Lent I pray for the grace to be open to hear the voice of God.  The first section of the prayer Teach Me To Listen by John Veltri, SJ is a wonderful meditation:  Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me, my family, my friends, my co-workers. Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is, “Accept the person I am. Listen to me.”
Listening to the voice of God opens my heart to what truly matters.  Do you hear me?4 

Don Schwager quotes “God's help for our complete conversion,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When we transform our old life and give our spirit a new image, we find it very hard and tiring to turn back from the darkness of earthly passions to the serene calm of the divine light. We must ask God to help us that a complete conversion may be brought about in us." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 6,5) 5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Jeremiah 7:23-28 comments that as anyone on a journey knows, the best way to get to the destination is to keep moving forward. That’s what makes today’s first reading so poignant. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God laments that his people have been going backward and not forward. They have turned their backs to the Lord and started walking away from him and back into the darkness of sin.

When you are faced with temptation today, keep this image in your mind. Remember that the choice is always yours: whether to take a step backward, away from your goal, or to walk forward, out of the swirling drives and urges and into the arms of your heavenly Father. Commit yourself today to continuing on with your journey of trust and love, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus and his heavenly throne.
Remember too that the journey forward is not one you take alone. You are surrounded by the saints and angels. You have the witness, prayer, and support of brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. Best of all, Jesus himself is always with you “until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).6 

Friar Jude Winkler relates that the people blame Jeremiah for judgement that has come upon them from their hard hearted turn from God. Beelzebul, the lord of the flies, is a clever word play involving Baal and the place of pagan worship. Friar Jude is alerted by the dualistic expression in the Gospel that sometimes we have to make crucial choices.

David Benner, a friend of Richard Rohr, OFM, and depth psychologist, explores what it means to grow in Christ He cites Cynthia Bourgeault and Meister Eckhart [c. 1260–c. 1328] as he observes that mystics [across all spiritual traditions] love the Divine so much that they no longer see any boundaries between God and mortals.

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to know well several people for whom union with God was not just a momentary experience but a relatively stable part of their ongoing journey. . . .


What struck me most as I related to them over time was that their ever-deepening journey into God made them more deeply human, not less human. . . . None showed an avoidance of the realities of life, and none seemed to use their spiritual experience as an escape. Although by this point they had all established a contemplative dimension to their life, they all were active in serving others in the world. This, they knew, was their home, and it was here that they had learned to meet God.7 

Our inner journey centering our prayer and seeking our true self leads us to live and be more open to listen and act in support of others.

References

1	(n.d.). Jeremiah, chapter 7 - usccb. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/7
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 95 - usccb. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/95
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 11 - usccb. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/11
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 3rd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 28, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/28
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 28, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/

Learning and living in Law

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate a model for growing in spiritual health.

Ponder our blessings and growth

The Book of Deuteronomy cites the advantages of fidelity to the Law of the Covenant.

Advantages of Fidelity1

In Psalm 147 we are called to become the place of disclosure for God’s word.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water.2

In the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew we encounter Jesus teaching about being the fulfillment of the Law.

* [5:17–20] This statement of Jesus’ position concerning the Mosaic law is composed of traditional material from Matthew’s sermon documentation (see note on Mt 5:1–7:29), other Q material (cf. Mt 18; Lk 16:17), and the evangelist’s own editorial touches. To fulfill the law appears at first to mean a literal enforcement of the law in the least detail: until heaven and earth pass away nothing of the law will pass (Mt 5:18). Yet the “passing away” of heaven and earth is not necessarily the end of the world understood, as in much apocalyptic literature, as the dissolution of the existing universe. The “turning of the ages” comes with the apocalyptic event of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and those to whom this gospel is addressed are living in the new and final age, prophesied by Isaiah as the time of “new heavens and a new earth” (Is 65:17; 66:22). Meanwhile, during Jesus’ ministry when the kingdom is already breaking in, his mission remains within the framework of the law, though with significant anticipation of the age to come, as the following antitheses (Mt 5:21–48) show.3 

Andy Alexander, S.J. comments that the scribes and Pharisees obeyed the letter of the law. He asks how can their holiness be lacking? It is because they lack mercy. They lack the ability to surrender their judgments of others. Holiness is not so much about obedience to the law as it is about having the heart that Jesus has.

We cooperate with that grace - here in the middle of Lent - by asking, "Lord, you know what needs healing in me. Help me name it today and let me ask you to come in and work your healing in me. Meet me there, in that place, dear Lord." Trusting in his grace, we can "practice" being more attentive to someone today. We can "practice" a newly desired kindness. We can "practice" complimenting, affirming, thanking someone today. Taking steps each day toward thinking of the needs of another close to me, and acting out of love, will help me be more and more open to thinking about the needs of those most in need in our world.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Making daily progress towards God,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not ones who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from the commandments, something from examples, and something from Sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for our studies." (excerpt from Sermon 16A,1)5

In the Word Among Us Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 we see another sort of model. It’s a model for growing in spiritual health, built around reading the Scriptures. Here it is: “Hear . . . observe . . . live” (Deuteronomy 4:1). If we hear God’s word and observe God’s word, we will enjoy a richer spiritual life.

First, there’s hearing God’s word...It’s best to read prayerfully, too...As you read, it may help to ask, “How is this passage revealing the Lord to me?”
Then there’s observing God’s word...Ask yourself, “In the light of this passage, what could I change about my life?” ... saying one encouraging thing to your spouse each day... Little by little, you’ll be making changes; over time these will add up to become real transformation.
Finally, live… as you make those little steps in patience, humility, and love, your relationships will become healthier, including your relationship with the Lord.6 

Friar Jude Winkler contrasts the benefits of the Law given in Covenant to Israel with the description of the Law by Paul of Tarsus. The Covenant is an incredible gift that detailed blessings and curses. Friar Jude notes how the most Jewish Gospel of Matthew presents an extension of the Mosaic Law in a spiritual dimension.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, cites Thomas Merton as he observes that as we grow spiritually, we discover that we are not as separate as we thought we were. Separation from God, self, and others was a deep and tragic illusion.

 As we grow in wisdom, we realize that everything belongs and everything can be received. We see that life and death are not opposites. They do not cancel one another out; neither do goodness and badness. There is now room for everything to belong. A radical, almost nonsensical “okayness” characterizes the mature believer, which is why they are often called “holy fools.” We don’t have to deny, dismiss, defy, or ignore reality anymore. What is, is gradually okay. What is, is the greatest of teachers. At the bottom of all reality is always a deep goodness, or what Thomas Merton called “a hidden wholeness.” [1] ([1] Thomas Merton, “Hagia Sophia,” Ramparts Magazine (March 1963), 66. Also see In the Dark Before Dawn: New Selected Poems of Thomas Merton, ed. Lynn R. Szabo (New Directions: 2005), 65.)7

Our heritage in the Covenant and our second life in Christ offer direction to our journey of growth in our relationship with God and others.

References

1	(n.d.). Deuteronomy, chapter 4 - usccb. Retrieved March 27, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/4
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 147 - usccb. Retrieved March 27, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 5 - usccb. Retrieved March 27, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 27, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 27, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 3rd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 27, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/27
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 27, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/