Jesus Calls Us To Do More than the Law Requires

The appointed Gospel reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from the Gospel according to Matthew where Jesus calls us to go beyond what the 10 Commandments require:

 

‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; 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. (Mt. 5:21-26).

 

To be sure, the Pharisees were sticklers for following the Law, the 10 Commandments which they added about 638 more commandments to.  Jesus calls you and me not to merely follow the Law, but to follow the spirit of the 10 Commandments.  A person can be technically in compliance with the law, while not living up to and into the spirit of the law.  For example, the 10 Commandments tell us not to kill an innocent human being.  But how many times have we “killed” others with our words?  Jesus calls us to go beyond the letter of the law; he calls us to do more than the letter of the law requires.

 

Let us pray: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through  Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the  Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Sharing Our Faith Dinner will be Thursday evening at the Putmans’ home on 1718 Avenue N at 7 p.m.  Please let Stacy know if you are coming by calling her at 832-382-4463.

 

Adult Christian Education: “The Resurrection: Now What?”  Join us Sundays at 11 AM as we study the development of the Old and New Testament canons, the early Church and the Patristic period and the Creeds.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Julie, Pat, Lee Runion’s mother, and Patricia.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550