Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

“Your words, Lord, are spirit and life;” (John 6:63)
 
Scene: Judy’s apartment: Jesus and Judy are sitting on the living room couch in conversation over today’s Scripture readings.

Judy: Jesus, I’m having a difficult time understanding your words when you tell us that we must obey every law, that you came to fulfill not to abolish the law.

Jesus: Yes, and?

Judy: Well, there are so many instances in your public life when you have not obeyed every law. For instance, you talked to a woman and cured her in the synagogue on the Sabbath. You allowed your disciples to pick wheat on the Sabbath because they were hungry. Then there was the time when you did not do the ritual washings before a meal. Aren’t these rules important?

Jesus: Oh, Judy, there are rules and then there are rules! The examples that you give are minutiae. They are concerned with things, not with people.  We learn the laws in our head and gradually allow them to become part of us. If laws stay in our heads, they become legalistic, narrow, and selfish. If we allow these mandates to seep into our hearts, then laws make us wise and intelligent—that is God’s purpose for law.  My Father has sent me to earth out of a tremendous love for every human being. The way of life that I have proposed throughout my preaching is the way of love.

Judy: So, please explain how that way of life is different from obeying rules.

Jesus: Well, any rule, any way of life needs to be people-centered. We learn to become sensitive to and respect the human needs of people from our own family to those who are different from us—religiously, culturally, nationally, and personally.

Judy: Moses tells us to observe the statutes and decrees carefully, so that we will give evidence of our wisdom and intelligence to the nations. How, in my little corner of town, can I give evidence of wisdom and intelligence?

Jesus: Yes, there are important, people-centered statutes and decrees. When I gave my talk on the mount, I explained that you are to engage and help those who are poor mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You need to become aware of and understand others’ differences, help people develop their talents for work, for art, for the public good. You need to go within yourselves to highlight your personal gifts and to tame your evil tendencies. At first, when you practice showing respect for others, you find this difficult. But then, take time to sit with me each day and ask for that grace to appreciate and accept people as they are. It doesn’t mean that you will like them, but you will respect them.

Judy: Jesus, sometimes I find it easier to love people from afar; for example, I care about the people in Ukraine who have been bombed out of their homes. I pray for them and want to do something concrete for them. Yet, at times I find it harder to accept and respect those closer to me.

Jesus: Through their own suffering, all the prophets have reminded us to find some good in another and to act justly. That is what my grace is all about. Ask for this gift and it will be given to you.

Judy: Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me that your gift of love and grace and my own efforts are greater than any setbacks.