by Sister Karen M. Cavanagh, C.S.J.
“BROTHERS AND SISTERS … you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word of God even in suffering but with joy from the Holy Spirit so that you might be a model for all around you who are believers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5c)
This is a challenging time in our world and our country, and we are reminded of our primary call and of the salvation, redemption and gift of conversion which is ours. With each new dawn, we are given the grace and strength to be models of God’s inclusive love.
Clear Commands, Consequences
This weekend’s Scriptures don’t mince words, and leave us with no “wiggle room.” They are clearly commands, not suggestions, and they are equally clear about the consequences.
Exodus puts strong directives and reminders in the voice of our God: You shall oppress no one… you shall not wrong those who are vulnerable… you shall not extort those who are poor … you need assure your neighbor’s needs… you will pay a price for lording it over any alien. Remember, “you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt” and with an outstretched hand I have led you to safety and freedom.
This Sunday’s Gospel shows us Pharisees and their scholars of the law trying to test, trip up, stump Jesus with the question: “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
They don’t wish to learn, but to test the One Who taught, modeled and lived God’s law of compassionate love. Jesus knew Exodus and the Hebrew testament, He was intimate with His Abba-God. Throughout the Gospels we see Him responding to this question with His very life.
No Exclusions
There is no “mincing” of words; no uncertainty in His corrective challenging glances and noticing. There are no exclusions in His healing, tenderness, understanding, forgiveness or tireless manner of self-emptying love. Both responses become one for there can be no distinction between our love of God and our love of neighbor. In addition to this challenge, we are reminded that this law is concerning both our external actions and internal attitudes.
Jesus clearly, clearly lived the essence of the law, which is the love of God lived out in relationship with God and with every neighbor. He did not “mince” His response. He did not hide His care of every neighbor and he did not mention any possible exceptions. We cannot pick and choose who, what, when or where.
This puts me in mind of a favorite story of a Jewish elder who lived before Jesus walked the earth. His name was Hillel and he lived at the time of King Herod and the emperor, Augustus. A Gentile approached and offered this challenge: he promised to “convert” if Hillel could explain the entire Torah (Book of the Law) while standing on one foot. Hillel took the test without tripping up. He stood on one foot and said: “Love God with all your mind, heart and being and love your neighbor as yourself!”
The Law, Simplified
I imagine a caring smile on Hillel’s face as he lowered his foot and said to the Gentile: “This is the Law, the rest is commentary and explanation. Go and learn.” Isn’t this what Jesus learned and taught?
St. Paul, these weeks, writes to the fledgling church in Thessalonia, commending them for their learning and fidelity while encouraging them to keep heart as they “suffer” reproach and ridicule for “serving the living and true God,” and for imitating the disciples’ good works in their midst. We’re still learning because it is the primary lesson. It grows with us; it is living. It’s ever new and now ever calling, challenging and moving us. It’s simple, but it’s not easy.
Exodus and the Gospel hold that proverbial mirror to our external actions and internal attitudes. Mea culpa, mea culpa! Are we courageous enough to not only learn, but also live the law? Is that mirror not also being held to our world, our church and our country? Are we not encouraged, even mandated to view all law through the lens of this “greatest law”?
St. Paul begins today with the reminder that we need to receive the Word with joy from the Holy Spirit so as to be models for all around us.
I’m okay in courageous moments, but in those more frequent times when I am less brave, I might seek “wiggle room” or exemptions from the challenge. At those times, I remember musician Tom Franzak’s words from “Come and Follow Me.” I want to heed them in my life. He proclaims: “by the power of the Spirit, everyone with ears to hear it will embrace the call to love within their heart… With a towel and a basin, toward the kingdom we will hasten, through the narrow gate that leads to Calvary.”
Daily news and tragedies near and far overwhelm our brains and break our hearts. We need remember that the Holy Spirit is a spirit of wisdom, peace and courage.
Prayerful Invitation
As this month ends, I invite readers to an experience that could unite us in remembering. The Sisters of Saint Joseph, living and praying in community from the Verrazano Bridge to Montauk Point, in West Virginia, Appalachia and Puerto Rico, have decided to join our prayers and spirits with each other each day.
We are uniting in spirit, in silence and prayer at a time we know others of us are praying. We’ve shared those times with each other and invite you to join us wherever you are, for as long as you wish. Early birds pray at 5, 5:30, 6, 6:40 in the morning. Others will pray at 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Some pray at 11 a.m. and others at 5:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.
We sit in silence reflecting upon God’s presence and God’s spirit, knowing that “we are compassion … we are unstoppable when we unite.” We are never alone. God be with you and bless you.
Readings for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exodus 22: 20-26
Psalm 18: 2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
1 Thessalonians 1: 5c-10
Matthew 22: 34-40
Sister Karen M. Cavanagh, C.S.J., a trained spiritual director and retreat facilitator, is a pastoral associate/family minister at St. Nicholas of Tolentine parish, Jamaica.