The longer version of this Sunday’s Gospel includes a reference Jesus made to the law. Jesus says he has not come to abolish the law and that not the smallest letter of the law would not pass away. He was not however referring to the Old Testament law of Moses. Jesus already abolished that old law from the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus did it by never joining the supremacy group that demanded people obey the old law. He also never promoted that group’s image of God as a deity angry with sinners who broke it. In addition, Jesus never practiced its punitive measures against those sinners. Jesus further abolished the old law by establishing an entirely new communal relationship model, revealing a loving God, and practicing healing power.
It is likely Jesus was referring to something else when he said he had not come to abolish the law, and, that not the smallest letter of the law would pass away. Jesus had just finished teaching the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are the ‘laws’ Jesus has come not to abolish and instead to fulfill. That truth is again made clear in the body of today’s Gospel reading when Jesus repeatedly juxtaposes the old law with his new way saying six different times: “you have heard the (old) commandment … but what I say to you is …” Jesus has not come to affirm the old law. The old law, then and now, bolsters the rulers – mostly men, and harms common people, such as women. For example, the old law allowed men lust – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” It allowed men manipulation – “Again you have heard that it was said, ‘Do not take a false oath.’… But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’’ It allowed men violence, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not return evil for evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” The old law, still active today, perpetuates the old injustices of patriarchy’s unjust system. It still punishes women for being raped, still prevents women from having a voice in court, and still institutionalizes the violence done to women. Jesus has come to establish a new way. It is a way of integrity for all and will never pass away.
Let us not be afraid of Jesus shifting the paradigm and calling us to something entirely new, “I have come to fulfill.”
Prayer: Dear Jesus, open my mind and heart to receive an ever renewing power.
Question: How does the old law have more influence for me than the new Beatitudes?
February 16, 2014 Gospel Matthew 5:17-37 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time