In the water pond or in a
dam there would always be a measuring scale to calculate the inflow and the
stagnation of the water. Even in cooking we calculate the water in Ml concept so
that the dish that is being prepared may come out to our expectation. Thus, calculation
is necessary for human being to carry out his/her life.
In today’s Gospel Jesus is
explaining the Ten Commandments in a new way. He is giving new interpretations
for the Ten Commandments. During Jesus time, Pharisees and Sadducees were very
particular about the observance of the law. Their eyes were always on the
people, waiting for a person who would break the law. And when that happens,
they inflict severe punishment on that person. They were doing so because in
the old testament, it is said that breaking the Ten Commandments would be a
sin. But in the New Testament, especially in today’s Gospel, Jesus is making it
clear that Ten Commandments in the old testaments are only guidelines to lead a
moral and mature life. They are not a charge sheet to catch the people or
punish the people. Those commandments are not a scale to measure the sin of a
person. Rather, they are to give wisdom and insight for man about what to do
and what not to do in one’s life. The Pharisees and Sadducees were not supposed
to catch the people who break those laws, rather they are to teach people how
to orient their life towards God by keeping the Ten Commandments at the back of
their mind in all that they do.
God did not give commandments
to catch us or condition us. He has given us freedom to decide what to do and
what not to do. In order to guide our decision he has given Ten Commandments. “He
has placed before you fire and water: stretch out your hand for whichever you
wish.” (SIRACH 15:16) Therefor, killing and committing adultery is
not a only when it is done. The intention to do that itself a sin. This is what
Jesus is telling today. The Ten Commandments are the end or a final mark in our
run way. On our way, we have to control the speed, to reach the end with full
of happiness and energy. When we do this our righteousness exceeds that of the
scribes and Pharisees.
Let us ask our Lord with the
verses of today’s psalm, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out
of thy law. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I will keep it to
the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law and observe it with my
whole heart.” (PSALMS 119:18, 33-34). May the good Lord give us wisdom to guide
our path so that we may choose what is pleasing to God and what is fitting to
our way of life.
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