Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 362

"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

 With the end of the Easter cycle on Monday, we resume a slow march through readings of the synoptic Gospels. We left off in Mark 10, and take up again in early Matthew 5 with a familiar passage from the Lord's Sermon on the Mount. Nor should we be surprised to encounter a challenge befitting those who think the ordinary cycle should ease up on the demands of our faith.  

The righteousness of "scribes and Pharisees" seems pretty demanding to many of us. They want a strict conformity to their interpretation of God's law. That conformity identifies them as Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, or Muslim. Very often their clothes identify them. And certainly their habits and ways of speaking. They operate on a different schedule; their recreations and pastimes may be singular to their religion. They make pilgrimages to different places, and make no secret of their adventures. Their songs, conversation, and jokes may also set them apart. 

That conformity can seem unreasonable, especially to young people who hear the powerful demands of a secular, dominant culture. And some people habitually object to conformity of any sort, crying out, "I gotta be me" whenever they notice what's expected of them. 

However, if the ways of some religious people are different, they also conform readily to many local customs. No major religion objects to owning more than one's share of property and wealth, nor do they object to reasonable ostentation. There are many impoverished, devout people but their poverty is imposed upon them. Very few piously shun the opportunities of a prosperous society, or choose professions that do enormous good but offer few rewards,

However, Jesus does object, "Unless your righteousness surpasses" that of a conformist, secular society "you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven." Being good enough is not good enough. When the Father declared for all to hear, "This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased!" he did not say he's good enough, or he touched all the bases, or he got a passing grade. His proclamation of pleasure in Jesus indicates a degree of surprise. He has surpassed our expectations, he has gone the extra mile and then some; he has given everything and then some; and not just enough. 

Jesus didn't give until it hurt; he gave until it stopped hurting and death had stripped him of all pain and pleasure. 

I often meet people in the Church who give without counting the cost. They've made their generosity a habit that others can rely on. "She'll be glad to do it!" they say. And, "He'll show up. Be sure of it!" They appreciate recognition and gratitude but demand neither. They may tire if the appreciation never comes, and may suspect their sacrifices are not appreciated because they aren't helpful. So their companions -- and their leaders especially -- should recognize their reliable service. There's no excuse for taking people for granted. 

Jesus sets the standard for what is expected of us. As unimaginable as it might seem, he knew what would happen as he approached Jerusalem. It doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing. The pain of the entire ordeal must have surprised his defenseless flesh but his heart was set on the Love of God, and he never for a moment forgot the One he served.