[stephenkhoo]

Scripture Reflections
23 May 2013, Thursday, 7th Week, Ordinary Time
PRESUMPTION AND LEGALISM LEAD TO PROCRASTINATION IN REPENTANCE
SCRIPTURE READINGS: SIRACH 5:1-8; MARK 9:41-50

Before Vatican II, the line of preaching was invariably that of hell, fire and brimstone. By threatening the congregation with the punishment of hell if they did not convert, it was hoped that they would be coerced into conversion out of fear of going to hell. But such pedagogy only drove more people away from conversion until they were at death-bed, for fear of committing sins. Otherwise, one sheepishly obeyed the rules out of fear rather than out of love. Of course, in today’s gospel, Jesus also warned His audience about such a possibility. But falling into legalism, doing good works and behaving oneself in order to secure a place in heaven, only serve to illustrate an exacting and cruel God who created us so as to punish us. So we have a case here of one proclaiming the truth, but without love, because one simply lives a righteous life without any real love for God or for others, but purely for one’s preservation of self. One therefore falls into the sin of legalism.

Following Vatican II, the pedagogy swung to the other extreme, which is to proclaim the unconditional love of God, as underscored in the whole bible. It is normal now for preachers and teachers to emphasize the love and mercy of God. In itself it is not wrong, nor something really new. Since Martin Luther’s re-discovery of the doctrine of salvation by faith through grace alone, the unconditional love and mercy of God has been proclaimed by all preachers, especially in the Protestant world. Yet there are dangers inherent in an overly one-sided emphasis on God’s love and mercy. The first reading warns us of such a danger when the author wrote: “Do not be led by your appetites and energy to follow the passions of your heart. And do not say, ‘Who has authority over me?’ for the Lord’s forbearance is long. Do not be so sure of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. And do not say, ‘His compassion is great, he will forgive me my many sins’; for with him are both mercy and wrath, and his wage bears heavy on sinners.”

Indeed, whilst Luther is right to say that merit cannot earn us salvation, which is purely the gratuitous grace of God alone, received by faith, yet, such a doctrine is disastrous to those who follow it blindly and literally without understanding the experiential content and intent of the doctrine of Justification by faith alone. What Martin Luther wanted to say was that anyone who encounters the love and mercy of God, would go on to live a radically changed life; living the life of the gospel, not in fear but in response to such an overwhelming love, just as he did. He is not denying that without good works one cannot be saved, for the sign of having received God’s love and mercy is good works, even though in themselves they cannot save us. But without good works, as St James tells us, that faith is dead! (James 2:17) He berated those who spoke of faith without the accompaniment of good works, for even the demons believe in God! When we transform costly grace to cheap grace, that is, faith without good works, communion without reconciliation, forgiveness without repentance and confession, love without sacrifices, then we have indeed reduced the grace of God to cheap grace, a grace that is given to anyone without a price. It would be a case of love without truth and gross injustice, since authentic love entails living a life of truth and charity. This would be the sin of presumption, or vain confidence in God’s saving grace.

Whether we sin in excess through the sin of presumption, or sin in narrow-mindedness by the sin of legalism, it would delay us from encountering the love of God in a real way. By not living a life of grace, as the scripture readings tell us, we will eventually destroy ourselves in this life and the next. By assuming that God always forgives us, even when we continue sinning without repentance, is making a mockery of His love and divine justice. By relying on power and wealth, especially when we acquire them through dishonest means and creating a false sense of independence, we put ourselves at risk, for one who lives with a bad conscience cannot find peace and happiness. And by following the desires and passions of our heart without due consideration of our actions on others, or even on ourselves, we destroy not just our own health of body and soul, but also wreck the lives of those whom we manipulate and toy with.

What is necessary to bring a real conversion of heart is not fear or self-indulgence, but understanding the wisdom of God. Instead of reading the gospel superficially, we must ponder deeply the intent of Jesus’ warning when He told the disciples to cut off any part of our body that leads us to sin, regardless whether it is our eye, hand or foot. Why did Jesus use such strong and harsh imagery if not to bring His listeners to the greater pain and disaster that awaits them for failing to live an upright life? We reap what we sow! St Paul echoes this when he wrote, “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Cor 9:6) Because the pain of rejecting God is greater than any other pain in this world, one should consider seriously the gravity and consequences of sin and an unrepentant heart.

In contrast, the psalmist sings of the great benefits for those who walk the ways of the Lord. “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.” For by so doing, “He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.” Indeed, if we are faithful to the Lord and walk the way of wisdom, we cannot but save ourselves from suffering the consequences of our sins. We will live a life of integrity and in right relationship with everyone. A person who is free from anger, fear and guilt, necessarily lives a life of peace and joy and is able to fully focus on what he does. Such a person is surely successful. This explains why Jesus said: “If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.” By being loving and caring, we experience the love of God through our love for others.

But “not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away” because they live in bitterness, anger, greed, and are discontented with everyone and everything. If one is not happy within, how can one be happy with anything at all? They are unhappy because they are not able to forgive themselves for hurting and destroying their loved ones. Accordingly, Jesus warns us, “But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck.” When we sin, we ultimately condemn ourselves and destroy our happiness, for one who lives with a guilty conscience can never be at peace.

Hence, if today we want to walk the path of freedom, we need to be salted with the wisdom of God. Jesus exhorts us thus: “Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” We need to return to the Lord, especially by listening to His Word so that we can live the life of compassion and truth in sincerity and integrity. Let us, as Sirach tells us, not delay any longer. “Do not delay your return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day; for suddenly the Lord’s wrath will blaze out, and at the time of vengeance you will be utterly destroyed.” So before worse things happen and we are brought to despair to a point of no return, let us take heed of God’s invitation to repentance.