Novice to concertmaster

Galatians 3:23-29

          I'll confess right up front that part of this reflection is based on a wonderful discussion we had over coffee after Mass this last Sunday. This was basically the topic we were discussing. Imagine that, and now a reading has come up in time giving me the chance to put a few more words out there into cyberspace.

          We are all accustomed to rules. We have household rules on how we do things, we have rules for driving, rules at work, rules when playing an instrument. All these rules become second nature after a while. It is a good thing because once we get the rules down, we are free to explore other things.  We no longer have to concentrate on the rules as much and we have time to get involved in the real nitty gritty of life and that includes fun things (lest we forget).

            The problem that arose in Jesus' time and continues today, is that you get to thinking you are saved or perfect when you obey all the rules. Never mind that there are simply so many man made rules, we can get to thinking simply by obeying the rules we are set.  The problem is, that just ain't so.

If for example, we learn all the rules of playing the cello, it will not make us a good cellist. It will not help us play well in an orchestra with others. So more than the basic rules are important for advancing in your skill and playing.  It is quite similar with the rules God has given us.

           Again, putting the man made rules aside, we must do more than simply obey the basic Ten Commandments.  Jesus said as much when he gave us the two Great Commandments.  I often use thou shalt not kill as an example. You can easily kill a persons' soul, their reputation, their dignity and be just as guilty in the eyes of God. But what of thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods? That seems straight forward enough, eh?  But what are you doing when you are in competition with your neighbor over material goods? You are not stealing the item but you are coveting the value of their goods by one-upping them. You are in essence stealing the value of their goods by trying to do them one better. This is a more advanced way of thinking that Jesus had in mind. 

         Jesus gave us the two great commandments because we are no longer novices. Just as a child learns the basic rules to play the cello, we learned the basics in the 10 Commandments. Still valid in every respect. But now, we have grown as humans and we are capable of quite a bit more. Now we look at the 10 commandments with the lens of the two great commandments. Most of all, we have to look at our lives and our actions in terms of God's love for us, how we wish to be treated and how we respect ourselves.

          Unless you are totally new to religion and God's laws, go out with what you know and make your life a concerto, a symphony of love.

  

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.