St James Catholic Church

Over the next two weeks we will hear an extended passage from Matthew’s gospel in which Jesus reinterprets the law, the ten commandments, for his disciples.  He challenges his followers to take it one step further, to do more than just follow the letter of the law.

The law teaches against murder.  The Lord upholds this law and then amplifies it in his commandment against anger.  This fifth commandment, left unresolved, can cause resentment and lead to death in a relationship.  The law teaches against dishonesty.  Jesus goes one step further and teaches against doubting another’s honesty.  The law is only the beginning of justice and mercy.

We may have learned the ten commandments in school by heart, but what is more important is to keep them with all our hearts.  Taking them to heart means going over and beyond the letter of the law.  It means we have internalized their guidance.  The heart is regarded as the seat of human emotion, especially as the celebration of Valentine's Day this past Friday reminded us, it’s all about love.  As Jesus will say later in Matthew’s Gospel, all of the law and the prophets proceed from the two greatest commandments: love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

Love, Peace, Joy

Fr. Bob