In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus speaks about his mission on earth, indicating that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Jesus does not overturn the Mosaic law; rather, he gives it a new interpretation, one that is even more demanding than the one given the law by Jewish leaders. To truly keep the law, one must go beyond it. With that in mind, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the little things that can erode their relationship with God and others and escalate into major offenses.
By instructing his disciples to watch out for the little transgressions, Jesus did not intend to frighten his followers into obeying a God whom they might falsely imagine was lying in wait to punish them for every small inadequacy or transgression. Instead, he alerts his followers that little slights, left unchecked, can lead to major offenses with dire consequences. By the same token, great love and greatness in God’s reign begin with little acts of love toward the least brother or sister.
On February 18th we begin Lent, and there will be many good ways to make it special. Some ways are about giving things up, some are about taking things on. For me, it’s a prime time to examine before God all of my relationships: to God, to things (food, entertainment, work, TV, internet, etc.), to myself, and to other people (family, friends, fellow workers, neighbors, as well as the poor, be they known or unknown). How Christian are those relationships? Do they lead me to greater health and holiness, greater peace, greater generosity? And, in regard to my relationships to other human beings, how LOVING are those relationships? Because love is something other than liking or desiring or getting along. As a follower of Christ, in my relationships, do I act (or at least want to act) as light and as salt? Do I respect the goodness and beauty in everyone else?
Fr. Frank Reale, S.J.
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