On this Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, the Church meditates on a long section of the Sermon on the Mount according to the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Mt 5:17–37). Jesus presents the “New Law” as the maturation of the Old Covenant, calling the disciple to a depth that reaches the very root of intentions. This text is an invitation to live the freedom of the children of God in truth and in perfect charity.
To help you pray with this Gospel, we present below five points based on our sharing in the podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72-joUYSwBQ), which you can watch to better meditate and pray by selecting the subtitles in the language you prefer.
- The Law and the Prophets
Jesus affirms that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to bring them to full fulfillment (cf. Mt 5:17). The ancient Law functioned as a “pedagogue” (cf. Gal 3:24), leading the people until the coming of the Messiah. Now, in Christ, the Law finds its purpose and its full content. He assures that not a single “iota” or “dot” will pass away until all is fulfilled, because every detail of the Word of God points to the love that He came to embody and to teach. For this reason Saint Paul will summarize: “Love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Rom 13:10).
- The Least and the Greatest
The Lord establishes that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven lies in the coherence between doing and teaching (cf. Mt 5:19). The one who observes even the commandments considered “least” and teaches them through life is called great. This reminds us that holiness is manifested in fidelity to small things and in integrity of word. Neglect of the details of the Law compromises witness and even entry into the dynamism of the Kingdom. Whoever wishes to become great must be the servant of all (cf. Mk 10:43–45).
- Your Justice
Jesus warns that the justice of the disciple must surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees (cf. Mt 5:20). Their justice was “quantitative,” based on the external fulfillment of a list that included 613 commandments they catalogued from the Pentateuch. The justice Jesus proposes is “qualitative”; it is interior and reaches the heart. It is not merely a matter of “doing” things to be seen (the practices of justice: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting; cf. Mt 6:1–2, 5, 16), but of allowing grace to transform one’s being, making the disciple just in the presence of God and not only before men.
- But I Say to You…
With divine authority, Jesus radicalizes the commandments: “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you…” (cf. Mt 5:21–22, 27–28, 31–32, 33–34). Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) says that chapter five of Matthew is the confrontation between the Torah of the Messiah and the Torah of Moses. Jesus goes to the root of sin: murder begins with insult (“fool” or “empty-headed”) and with hatred harbored within; adultery begins in the look and in deliberate desire. This radicality demands drastic choices expressed in a metaphorical, not literal, sense, such as “tearing out the eye” (Mt 5:29) or “cutting off the hand” (Mt 5:30), all in order to preserve friendship with God and charity toward one’s brother, placing reconciliation above even sacrifice on the altar.
- Yes, Yes; No, No
Regarding oaths, the Lord teaches absolute transparency: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (cf. Mt 5:37). The disciple must be a person of such integrity that his word suffices by itself. Swearing by sacred things often conceals a lack of truth or an attempt at manipulation. Living in the simplicity of truth frees the human person from “human respect” and from the snares of the Evil One, who takes advantage of lies and pretense.
Steps of Lectio Divina
- Reading (lectio):
Read Matthew 5:17–37 slowly. Observe how Jesus deepens the meaning of the commandments, moving from the surface of behavior to the intention of the heart. - Meditation (meditatio):
Has my justice been “quantitative” (merely keeping rules), or do I seek conversion of heart? Have I treated my brothers and sisters with insults or interior anger? Is my word marked by the transparency of “yes, yes; no, no”? - Prayer (oratio):
Pray, for example, in this way: “Lord Jesus, Master of the New Law, give me an upright and pure heart. Purify my intentions and my words so that I may not live a faith of appearances, but that my life may be a reflection of Your Truth and Your Love…” (continue your prayer as the Spirit inspires you). - Contemplation (contemplatio):
Adore Jesus Christ, who is the full fulfillment of all justice. Contemplate the holiness and integrity of the Lord and ask for the grace that your will may be perfectly united to His. - Action (actio):
Identify one situation this week in which you need to act with greater transparency or seek a concrete reconciliation, moving away from judgment and living the justice of the Kingdom.
Until next week!
Shalom!
Click the link below and select the subtitles in your language:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72-joUYSwBQ
