What more must I do Rabbi?

      I may be off a day according to the cosmos. Part of my reflection yesterday seems much more suited to today's passage.  But yesterday is past and the reading here is so in your face that simply cannot just come up with another subject.

       Do you remember that rich chap who came to Jesus and asked what more he needed to do to be saved? He scrupulously followed all the commandments, what more need he do? He seemed to be looking for justification, as if Jesus would say, You are Saved!  The man walked away in utter sadness because Jesus told him to sell his belongings and give the money to the poor. That was the additional step the rich man needed. I won't delve into the comparison one might make about the disproportionate wealth in our society today.

         What I do notice from today's passage is a continuation of the theme that people who have a penchant to obey rules are not necessarily on the top of the salvation heap.  Sometimes we can be so busy minding the rules, we mislead ourselves into thinking we are guaranteed salvation. Worse, we obey the rules and feel free to judge others who are not as good at obeying the rules.

       Jesus was pretty clear on this. Though many would wish to deny it or simply dismiss it, Jesus embraced the sinners.  How many passages do we have to read for it to sink in that the rules are not the answer. Once again I find myself speaking of those two great commandments. They really make those Ten much harder to obey.  Today's passage highlights that even more as if the put an exclamation point on my writing from yesterday.

        We cannot mark off the commandments that we obey one by one as if we are checking off requirements to some Boy Scout merit badge. We don't get extra credit for doing things and acting the way we are supposed to act in the first place. What we get credit for if we are due any at all, is derived from love. Love in action, love as an arbiter of Scripture, love as the profound and limitless characteristic of our Creator. And now, now would be a god time to read 1 Corinthians 13.

Matthew 5:21-26

 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.