Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Feb. 19, 2017

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18

As we near the end of Epiphany season, our readings continue to show us how to follow in God’s way. In this first reading we learn that we are to be holy because God is holy. This brisk summary begins with our duty to leave a share of our bounty over for poor and hungry people and for immigrants, “the alien” – a duty that calls us just as strongly now as it called Israel then. Then, in a quick series of exhortations not to steal, lie, swear falsely, defraud, cheat the disabled, judge unfairly, slander or gain from your neighbor’s loss, we hear strong echoes of the Commandments that God requires of us.

Psalm 119:33-40

We now encounter another portion of Psalm 119, the long Psalm that we heard at its beginning last Sunday. The entire Psalm celebrates love for Torah, God’s teaching, which, because it comes from God, bears the force of law: a law that we love. In these verses the Psalmist reminds us that we are called to be both humble and generous. We should turn away from selfish gain and avoid worthless things, striving instead to follow God’s ways in life-giving righteousness. We will hear Torah’s teaching echoed in the caring way of life that Jesus teaches us.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23

Paul uses a variety of striking metaphors as he urges the Corinthians to give up their factions and unite. Last week he likened them to children who must have milk before they can eat solid food, and then an empty field that must have seeds and water before it can bear fruit. Now, he says, he has laid a strong foundation through the grace of God. All who want to build there must use that foundation only, because it is Jesus. We are God’s temple, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and even if the world calls us “fools” for our belief, we all belong not to human factions but directly to God through Christ.

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48

In today’s excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues showing us new ways to understand God’s teaching. Regardless of what we have heard in the past, Jesus says, he restates God’s commandments as firm guides for our relationship with God and our neighbors. “An eye for an eye” may have been a startling idea in its time, a relatively humane response when “death for an eye” was the usual rule. But now Jesus tells us to go beyond even mere equity to reach radical forgiveness, not only loving our brothers and sisters but all our neighbors. Jesus then calls us to be perfect, as God is perfect. That seems an impossible goal, but happily for us, the Greek word used here carries the possibly more achievable connotation of “mature,” “complete,” or even “hitting the target.” In this, at least, we can and should try our best.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18
Torah, the ancestral stories of God’s chosen people, is best translated as “teaching.” Torah tells of God’s covenant with the people, given at Mount Sinai. It teaches in detail how we are to practice righteousness and justice as we try to walk in God’s ways. Today’s reading commands us to deal justly with our neighbors. Surely this is the Torah that Jesus taught when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan: Everyone is our neighbor. We are to share our bounty with all who are poor and hungry; the foreigner, those who labor and those who struggle with disability.

Psalm: Psalm 119:33-40
We return to Psalm 119, the longest of the Psalms, for another excerpt that celebrates love for God’s teaching. Listen as the Psalmist lifts up humility and generosity, calling us to turn from selfish gain and avoid “vanities” as we follow God’s ways through life-giving righteousness. This is what Torah teaches; it is the way that Jesus urges us to live.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23
Continuing his pastoral advice to the church at Corinth, Paul uses metaphors to make his point. In last week’s reading he first likened the Corinthians to children who need milk before they are ready for solid food, then as a field to be planted and watere​d. He now describes the church as a building set on the strong foundation that is Jesus: We are God’s temple, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Repeating key themes from earlier verses, he reminds us that we accept​ that the world calls us “fools” when we accept the scandal of the Cross, and that we all belong to God, not to factions led by mere humans.

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48
Our Gospel reading again comes from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus urges us to go beyond the old teaching to a new way, hearing God’s commandments not only as rules to live by but as new ways to understand our relationship with God and our neighbors. “An eye for an eye” was a humane practice in ancient times when “death for an eye” was the usual response. Jesus now calls us not merely to equity in justice but to radical forgiveness. Love all our neighbors, no matter what, Jesus insists, calling us to the lofty if impossible goal of emulating God’s perfection.