[stephenkhoo]

PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL OF GRACE VERSUS THE LAW
SCRIPTURE READINGS: NEHEMIAH 8:1-12; LK 10:1-12
http://www.universalis.com/20131003/mass.htm


In the first reading from the Book of Nehemiah, we have the beginning of Judaism and the establishment of synagogues. After the exile, the focus was shifted from the Temple to the Law as the only way that they could hold the nation together. Nehemiah, who was commissioned to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, its temple and walls, found it easier than to rebuild the people. The poor were manipulated by the rich. Hence, it was important that he started to rebuild the community. He had Ezra the scribe gather the people together. They were convoked together, giving us the meaning of the Assembly of which the Church is derived. The Law was read out to them, including children who were old enough to understand, from morning till noon! And we read that “all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law”.


The reading of the Law of Moses was followed by exposition. “The Levites explained the Law to the people while the people remained standing. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.” This is equivalent to the homily that follows the scripture readings at the Eucharistic celebration.


Today, we are called to give the same reverence as they did to the Word of God when it was read and proclaimed. “Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord.”


The responsorial psalm affirms the beauty and wisdom of the Word of God. He says, “The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart. The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted; it gives wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear it gives light to the eyes. They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb.” By listening attentively to the Word of God and putting the Word of God into practice, we walk the ways of God, find peace and happiness.


The danger is that it could lead to legalism! This was the situation and the real gospel was neglected. The preoccupation of the Jews in obeying the laws with the accompanying traditions and elaboration made the observance of the laws rather tedious. Their lives were regulated by the laws in every way so much so that religion became a performance of rituals, traditions and laws. Instead of the laws becoming a guide or an ideal to strive at in living the life of God, it became a chore, a burden and an obsession. Instead of being set free to love, the laws were obeyed blindly and often without love and understanding. Either they ended up being self-righteous or totally discouraged and feeling condemned.


Indeed, this is the case of many of our Catholics in the way they observe the laws. They observe the commandments of the Church meticulously. But instead of seeing them as guidelines to live the life of the gospel, they are more concerned about the performance of such laws so as to escape punishment from God. The impression given is that salvation is earned and merited. We are not saved by obedience to the laws. Rather, obedience to the laws is the consequence of being saved and loved by God. Observing the laws cannot save us but it keeps us growing in Christ, becoming more and more like Him so that our lives become Christified over the years.


Consequently, we must rediscover the origin of the gospel. The laws are the consequence of our desire to live the gospel life, not the cause. Indeed, this is what the Good News is all about. It is about grace. This is brought out in today’s gospel text. The disciples who were sent out were to proclaim “peace” to whichever house they entered. Peace comes about when man is reconciled with God, within himself and with others. Peace is the consequence of righteousness. The corollary to the proclamation of peace is the call to cure those who are sick. Healing of those who are sick emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually is necessary. Indeed, proclaiming peace and healing is what the kingdom of God entails. “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” In other words, the reign of God is entering into our lives. When God reigns, there is peace, freedom and integrity. Words, unless accompanied by demonstration of God’s power in action, cannot transform lives. Most conversions take place because of a healing miracle or sorts. What we need is a real personal encounter with the Lord. What better way than to encounter the Lord in moments of desperation! No one is radically changed just by listening to the Word unless this Word takes flesh in his or her life.


But in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God, the messengers of the kingdom must themselves rely on the grace of God, not on their own will power or human strategy. St Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19) “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor 1:27-31)


This explains why they were told to “carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals.” And they too were warned not to “move from house to house. Whenever you so into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you.” The evangelical counsel of poverty is to ensure that the messengers of the kingdom would have no one to depend on except God. In this way, they will not be able to claim success for their mission and come to realize that everything is through the power of God alone. This is even true when the mission seems to be a failure, for the Lord said, “Whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go into its street and say, “We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.” In other words, we need not be too worried whether the message is accepted or rejected. God in His own ways will touch their hearts. What is important is that the messengers bear no grudges but entrust those who reject the gospel to the mercy of the Lord.


Yes, the gospel of pure grace requires us to rely on the primacy of God. What is needed is faith. The proclamation of the gospel is to inspire faith, and through faith we come to believe that God is love. This faith is then seen in the power of God at work in our lives, transforming us and touching us, healing and enlightening us. Otherwise the gospel is but another human enterprise dependent on strategies. It is the lack of faith and therefore the failure to see God’s power at work in our lives that many of our Catholics of goodwill in ministries tend to rely on their own strength than in the grace of God. The fact that they do not pray as much as they work for the Lord shows that they think that through hard work alone, they can achieve success, when in truth the psalmist tells us that in vain does the man labour if the Lord does not build. (Cf Ps 127) So let us listen to the Word of God attentively so that through the Word of God, faith and prayer could be conceived; and through prayer, the power of God is seen, experienced and manifested.