Homily for Wednesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: The law
By: Fr. Benny Tuazon
Homily for Wednesday June 10 2020
(Mt. 5:17-19) Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel Jesus clarified that He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He came across the Jews, specially the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, scholars, and many Jews as if He was against the laws, the Torah, as was given to Moses. The truth was, the laws had been multiplied and made complicated. In trying to implement the laws, specific situations appeared. Rituals like washing, praying, eating, etc., became a matter of accidents than essences. How long should you wash to be considered clean? Where should you pray? What position should you be? What food should you eat? How must it be cooked? Forgotten was the meaning of washing, praying, and eating in relation to God?
Laws are important. Even added ones in order to be more specific and address new situations are necessary. But we have to take care not to bury the meaning of those laws. Jesus came to bring back the spirit of the law. Sabbath, for example, was a day separated in order to encourage the faithful to allot a certain day for prayer and respect for the Lord. The Pharisees added too many restrictions to the point that it’s very essence was lost. Jesus, later would question their application and celebration of the Sabbath. It was made for man and not man for Sabbath. Thus, when a sick person needs care on a Sabbath, he must be attended to. The attention done was not a violation, rather, an expression of one’s regard for neighbor which is, ultimately a regard for God.
Humanity should not be lost in legality. While legality brings order, humanity provides the spirit. Laws are are needed to guide us. But we should not be contented with just doing them for their sake. Let us never forget that laws possess a spirit which takes care humanity. God meant it that way. Jesus came to see to it that it is brought back.