Wednesday, June 10, 2009

credentials

2 Corinthians 3:4-11; Psalm 99 Holy is the Lord our God; Matthew 5:17-19

In his Book, Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict takes a chapter to reflect on the relationship between the Law of Moses and the Law of the Messiah as mentioned into day's gospel passage. 

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.  I have come not to abolish but to fulfill."

In his chapter concerning The Torah of the Messiah, Pope Benedict recalls the words of Jacob Neusner in his book "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus" as summarized below:

"Neusner follows Jesus all day only to retire to prayer and study with the Jews and the rabbi from a certain town quotes from Babylonian Talmud: 
'In Israel there were 613 commandments given to Moses, 365 negative ones, 248 positive ones; David came and reduced them to 11; Isaiah came reduced them to six; Isaiah came again and reduced them to two; Habakkuk came and reduced them to one, righteous shall live by his faith. The rabbi then ask Neusner, 'is this what the sage Jesus had to say?' Neusner responds, 'Not exactly but close.' The rabbi asked, 'what did he leave out?'  Neusner responded, 'Nothing.' The rabbi continued, 'what did he add?' Neusner responded, 'Himself.'"

Pope Benedict points out that this is what brings the believing Jew alarm at Jesus' message.  The centrality of Jesus' "I" in his message gives everything a new direction.  Perfection, the state of being holy as God is holy, as demanded by the Torah, now consists in following Jesus. 

In Jesus, St. Paul tells us that the "ministry of death" gives way to the "ministry of the Spirit."  
In Jesus we have all been qualified as ministers of the new covenant.  We are all empowered to allow Jesus to fulfill the law in us for others.  Jesus has the credentials to fulfill the law and He passes that on to us who believe. 

Thus, we no longer can make excuses.  We can no longer just depend on others.  We are no longer justified in being a bystander.  In Christ, we are invited to partake in the role of minsters, minsters of love, mercy, justice, forgiveness allowing Jesus to fulfill the law in us for others. 

scripture for memory
"He raises the needy from the dust; from the ash heap he lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage" 1 Samuel 2:8

Quote of the day
"strive most ardently for the glory of God and of the Church.  The stage is small, but the action great." St. Francis de sales 
 

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