Lectionary: 228Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
I have been a pastor and assistant pastor in a couple of churches and seen a peculiar phenomenon. There are usually some rather unhappy persons, given to scrupulous religiosity, who are regarded as very pious. They are there whenever the church is open; they're the first to attend every new organization.
Charity and common courtesy does not allow the parish priest to debunk these mythical reputations; and they're usually harmless, but neither are they helpful.
I remember one eager woman who attended what she thought was the first meeting of whatever group was being called together. Seeing a group of strangers chatting easily with each other didn't alert her that she might be in the wrong place. So she went to the coffee urn and drew a cup of coffee. About that time a fellow came over and politely welcomed her. He asked, "And when was your last drink?"
She was astonished and said she couldn't remember.
"Lady, this is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, and every one of us can tell you the time and place of our last drink. I think you're in the wrong meeting."
What does it take to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Certainly not trying harder. No amount of effort can force us into the Kingdom of Heaven, anymore than the wrong key can open the right lock. The scribes and Pharisees, as they're described in our Gospels, are notoriously eager to show the world how blessed they are They do all the right things even as their conversation betrays resentments against less enthusiastic persons, and critical judgments of those who disagree with them. They bring to the cause more unconscious neediness and urgent willfulness than gracious willingness.
The surpassing righteousness of Jesus is the Holy Spirit, that One who speaks within our hearts to the Father on our behalf, who also speaks to others through our actions, words and manner.
Our Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life; it assures us of God's readiness to pour that Spirit upon us throughout our lives. Coupled with the practices of Penance -- including the daily examen, the readiness to listen, reflect, apologize and atone, and the Sacrament of Penance -- we learn to let the Holy Spirit guide us in all our affairs
No one said it is or should be easy, but for those who labor and are burdened, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.