Today is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost. I hope and pray that you are coping well with this summer heat. I grew up in a tropical country, so I thought I was used to this weather, but as I stay longer in the US where we have four seasons, the body has been acclimatized to the weather. That is why I have difficulty to bear the hot weather here. However, speaking of spiritual growth, it is not about what you feel, but what you have learned through the years that made you aware of what is going on in your interior life, which St. Peter says in our epistle today, is indeed a blessing, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.”
The epistle has a clear message that we must live in harmony with one another as brothers and sisters. If we become sympathetic, compassionate, loving, and humble towards others, our good attitude will result in more received blessings. As God’s children, we must turn away from evil and do good. Though God always seeks the sinners, this gives everyone an opportunity to seek God and continue to pursue Him. The mercy of God gives us hope. Let us all be gentle and respectful to each other for the Lord died for our sins and to give us a chance, keeping us with a clear conscience in order to bring us all back to God. It is better to comply with this calling of holiness by doing good than by doing evil. God keeps His eyes on those who are trying to change themselves and become holy and “His ears are attentive to their prayers.”
The gospel taken from St. Matthew is an exhortation of Jesus to His disciples when He said, “Except your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God.” This connotes that the strong resolution to justify oneself and one’s actions is by doing them with sincerity of heart displaying the righteousness and grace of God. He wants us, as God’s children, to manifest the heart and character of God in our daily lives. This is Jesus’ desire to establish His kingdom in a new generation as inspired by His life and sacrifices for us all.
Another point that St. Matthew mentioned in his gospel today is about how Jesus interprets and explains the Law of God. It was clear that Jesus was breaking the erroneous interpretations and attests to the fact that the attainment of the Law of God must be practiced with a greater justice, which is Jesus’ commandment of Love. Thus, we should avoid hatred, envy, and jealousy towards others. We need to learn the spirit of forgiveness, love, and acceptance, for God always forgives our sins no matter how grave they are, and so we should do the same towards our neighbors. We need to forgive! For whatever we do to others, we do it to God.
Therefore, what God wants us to understand is that we need to outdo the wrong attitude of the Pharisees and Scribes which, for them, observing the Law is the most important. This is not what Jesus wants to teach us. The words of Jesus on justice come from what God has done for us, which proposes that we too must base on being pardoned and embraced with God’s mercy despite our defects and sins. Before we realize the need to forgive others, God first shows us His forgiveness and pardons and accepts who we are. People are afraid and hesitant to practice these core values of the gospel.
Look not at our failures or mistakes, but look into or examine our hearts and know that we too are recipients of God’s greater love and pardon. Always remember that we are asked to be reconciled with God and others. Reconciliation demands acceptance and understanding.
Today many people seek justice. How do I understand the call on Jesus to practice justice? Is it in accordance with Jesus’ teaching?
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
