Greetings on this the Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Corinthians 3:15 – 4:1, 3-6; Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14; Matthew 5:20-26
Summary
To this day, in fact, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed (2 COR 3:15-16). And even though our gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing (2 COR 4:3).
Veiled does not mean forsaken. For our preaching is not for those who already believe, although they too need encouragement in the face of oppression, but the preaching is for those who see only the veil and not the person of God, Jesus Christ.
For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ (2 COR 4:5-6).
Reflection
Lifting the Veil.
In the gospel teachings of Jesus that follow today through next Tuesday are the teaching sets of: You have heard … But I say to you…
- Anger.
- Lust.
- False oath.
- (Holy Trinity Sunday is here and later other Solemnities, Memorials that interrupt the sequence, FYI)
- An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
- You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
It is more than simply improving our understanding of the commandments and the obeying them more completely (which is a good thing of course). Even Jesus is limited in the amount of words that need to be used to explain the number, density and complexity of the application of Law by case and example. Jesus is covering the major points of application but He is more interested in the conversion (the process of change).
It is far more important to understand he is asking us to lift the veil we have over the eyes of our heart. How we have enshrouded law with extras and cut-out-exceptions that are not in the Spirit of the Truth but designed for other purposes. The teaching of Jesus after this (through Thursday the 26th) also focus to hypocrisy, self-righteousness and ulterior motives.
Change of Heart – unveiling the negative makes room for the good
- Anger – usually not getting what I want even if not deserved.
- Lust – wanting to possess another as an object.
- False oath – can we get through a day without making a lie?
- An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth – revenge.
- You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy – love is a reward for doing what I want.
To put it directly – there is a very thick veil over our eyes.
Personal Reflection
It is good to be reminded of the veil. I suppose we all have one tucked away nearby and when convenient we put it on. Not out of reverence but to conceal us from truth and to keep the truth hidden. It’s a weakness. Let us instead allow the veil to fall away and melt.
You, Lord, are the proper sight for these poor eyes.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061225.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry