The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friend,

"Unless your justice exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."

We see that it is not enough to follow the letter of the law. Too often we become obsessed with the fine details of the letter of the law and we fail to grasp the spirit of the law which is far more important.

Our Lord gives us an example with the fifth commandment of God: "Thou shalt not kill". All too often men read or hear this commandment and pronounce themselves innocent of any crimes against this law because they have not physically harmed any one. Our Lord is pointing out to us today that this is not the case and this kind of "justice" is not sufficient to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Not only are those who physically assault another guilty of this sin, but also those who attack another with words. Those who say `Raca' or call their brother a `fool' are likewise guilty of this sin.

And further, even those who entertain these thoughts are guilty. "Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment." How often those who harbor anger in their hearts imagine that they are innocent of any sin against this commandment simply because they do not show it in words or actions!

There are exceptions to the letter of the law but not to the spirit of the law. If a man is killed by accident or in self-defense the letter of the law has been broken, but morally we know that in such cases the guilt is mitigated by the circumstances.

The spirit of the law makes us go further than just the surface of the words. We must enter into the intention and will of the law giver if we are to truly keep the spirit of the law. And in this the Scribes and Pharisees failed. Likewise, the majority of mankind fails in this.

The will of God in this commandment and all the others were summed up in the two greatest commandments: Love God with our entire being (a preferential love); and Love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The rest of the laws are based on these, including the one presented as an example today.

God's will is that we love one another as He has loved us. And to thus love one another means that we will and desire all that is good for them. This obviously prohibits us from killing him in thought, word, or deed.

God judges the heart. Every man will not only be accountable for every action and word but for every thought and omission. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to our eternal happiness lies in our own free will. That which we will or desire is as good as done in the eyes of God. He who harbors hatred in his heart is guilty of murder; He who lusts after another man's wife is already guilty of adultery; etc.

In this light our morning offerings take on a fresh new meaning. We make it our intention to do all for God this day, to gain all the merits and indulgences for this day, etc.

If we find it frightening when we understand how easy it is to offend God and how quickly it can be done with just a passing thought; we should likewise find it at least equally consoling that we can please Him with a good will or thought. If we are damnable for wishing evil upon our fellow man, we can be made worthy of heaven if we wish him well especially if we wish him the goodness of eternal happiness.

In wishing and striving to give our fellow man all that is good it is often necessary that we point out to him his mistakes and if we have been given a position of authority over him even to correct and impose punishment upon him for his own good. This is often mistaken for hatred or for wishing evil upon another when in fact it is just the opposite. Those whom we love we desire to perfect and sometimes it is necessary that we be the ones to destroy their fanciful and "happy" illusions and thus make them "suffer" in this world so that we might make it easier for them to pass through the judgment in eternity.

Perhaps the greatest enemies that our children have today are in their own parents who refuse to correct, rebuke and admonish their wayward children. They have confused love for negligence or indifference.

In answer to St. Paul's question: "Am I your enemy because I tell you the truth?" it should seem obvious that even though what we are told or what is done to us may be painful or uncomfortable it is for our own good and therefore all those who tell us the truth are truly our friends and not our enemies. (All things work for the good of those who love God!)

Let us enter into the spirit of the Law giver (God) and see there the truth and let us obey more than just the letter of His laws. In doing so, we will exceed the justice of the Scribes and Pharisees and perhaps merit a place in heaven.

Franciscan Benefactor Seraph Subscription Vocations Have you remembered God?