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VIEWING THE LAWS AS DIVINE WISDOM BY UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT - stephenkhoo - 03-26-2014 12:00 PM
VIEWING THE LAWS AS DIVINE WISDOM BY UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19
http://www.universalis.com/20140326/mass.htm
In the gospel, we all know very well that one of the characteristics of Jesus’ ministry was that He often broke the laws and the customs of His time. Jesus was a man who acted as one above the Torah. But He broke the laws in order to fulfill the laws. That is to say, He had to break the laws at times in order to keep the spirit of the laws. However, in case His people might misinterpret Him by thinking that the laws were no longer relevant in their lives and that they could discard them, Jesus in today’s gospel warned them, “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets.” Rather, He said, “I have come not to abolish but to complete them.” Hence, He added that only one who keeps and teaches the law can have a place in the kingdom of heaven.
For this same reason during this Lenten season, the Church deliberately chose this text and that of the first reading from Deuteronomy which extols the greatness and wisdom of the laws. If not, it would be difficult to justify the place of the Lenten works during this season. The Lenten program, which consists of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, requires a certain amount of discipline and personal sacrifice. It would be classified by Paul and James as good works. In the understanding of the Church, such practices must be taken seriously because such traditions have come from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. By fulfilling these practices, we will find life just like the Israelites who observed the commandments and customs of their time.
At the same time, however, the Church does not want us to fall into legalism like the Jews. If we are not careful then we can take the Lenten program as an end in itself. Just a mere performance of such discipline is not guarantee of a life of the kingdom. On the contrary, we can become proud and self-righteous, like the Jewish leaders during the time of Jesus. When that happens, then we would certainly stand accused by Paul and the Protestants that justification for us Catholics is by good works and not faith. Furthermore, we would not be really “completing” the laws as Jesus did in living up to its real spirit. It is therefore of utmost importance that the Lenten program must be seen as a means to help us live a life of wisdom and truth.
How, then, do we view these laws in the right perspective as Jesus wants us to, so that we will not fall into the same legalism as the Jews? The key phrase is found in today’s first reading. “But take care what you do and be on your guard. Do not forget the things you have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life; rather tell them to your children and to your children’s children.” It is important to take note that this warning follows immediately after telling them to observe the laws. What is the underlying meaning of this advice?
Simply this: the laws must not be detached from the circumstances that have brought about the formulation of such laws. In other words, the laws must always be seen in context, within the situation that gave rise to them. Yes, the context gives meaning to the laws. Without context the laws become an external authority and oppressive as well. Indeed, if some of us find certain church practices and laws burdensome it is because we do not understand the wisdom of such customs. This is also very true in our daily life. People often rebel against institutional laws because they consider them as taking away their freedom; at least that is what they think. Of course in certain situations, it is true.
But the truth is that most laws are not enacted simply because lawmakers have nothing else better to do than to extend their collection of statutes and laws. Nay, laws are enacted as a result of certain problems that they are encountering. In this sense, laws are the concrete crystallization of wisdom gained from the practical experience of human living. Laws therefore are ultimately instituted for peaceful co-existence and harmonious living among human beings. They are guidelines to help us to live a life of mutual love, respect, charity and justice. That is why it is important to know the context that gave rise to a law.
Once, we know the context, then before we consider discarding a law, we must understand the wisdom of such a law and whether the circumstances and the aims of such laws still are relevant. Change in circumstances therefore would warrant a different regard for the laws and even a change in the laws. It was because Jesus was always very much in touch with reality that He could break the laws when He felt the right and need to break them or even modify them. This is what we mean when we say that He broke the laws in order to fulfill them. If not one would fall into legalism. And what is legalism if not the slavish fulfilling of the laws without understanding the meaning and wisdom behind such observances, or worst still, to continue with such practices when the situations have changed.
In summary, what Jesus wants to tell us and what the Church wants to remind us is that the laws in themselves are meant for our good. They are meant to help us forge a deep relationship with God so that we can live in harmony with ourselves and with others. This is the ultimate spirit of the laws: for the love of God, self and others. All laws are meant to help us to love and to practice justice. They are not meant to enslave us or restrict our freedom. And thus by living the spirit of the laws, we can be considered great in the kingdom of God since we live the life of the kingdom, the life of love and wisdom.