The Sunday Gospel
Jesus was deeply disturbed by the travesty of a religion enmeshed in legalism. “You put aside the commandments of God to cling to human traditions.” Rules about ritual purification had sucked the beauty out of true worship. Pope Francis wrote that certain customs not directly related to the heart of the Gospel are no longer properly understood or appreciated. Think of a bishop’s residence being called a palace or how trappings of power which were meaningful in their time but are off-putting for people today. The Church is not meant to be a museum of dead fossils. Jesus set up a Church to be missionary, to be with the people, giving them meaning, hope, direction, compassion and God’s love above all. We must not be afraid to let go of obsolete customs or rules in order to be more relevant to the needs of our time. The guiding challenge must always be, what would Jesus do? What would Jesus say? Would Jesus recognise the Church today as the Church that he set up?
Divine instructions
Human regulations may be changed but there are divine instructions which are valid for all time. The Letter of St James reminds us that with regard to what comes down to us from the Father of light, there is no such thing as alteration or shadow of change.
In today’s Gospel Jesus mentions 12 serious sins: fornication (sexual intimacy outside of marriage), theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride and folly (denial of God’s existence). It sounds like the advertisement for a popular novel or film! Some of the teaching of Jesus would not be regarded as politically correct in certain quarters today. Would he change the list because of changed times? After all this is the 21st century! Time changes many things but inner truths and moral principles stand forever. Modern permissiveness does not like firm directives and clear statements. Permissiveness thrives in grey areas.
Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe”
The teaching of Jesus is a solid foundation for life. Life built on his teaching stands firm in the face of storms and floods. As St Peter said in last Sunday’s Gospel: “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe.”
Gospel Reflections and Prayers by Fr Silvester O’Flynn is published by Columba Books.