Homily: Sixteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

Sixteenth Friday of Ordinary Time (Ex. 20:1-17) “Love is the Fulfillment of the Law.”

If we were to ask what would sum up Judeo-Christian moral law the first thing that would probably pop into our mind would be the ten commandments. But the law of God that Moses received on Mt. Sinai was a lot more complex than these ten precepts. Scholars point out 613 precepts. A lot of them have to do with liturgical laws, laws about diet, purity and host of other things that governed everyday life in the nation of Israel.

There were too many laws to memorize. Also, one needed to interpret these laws because they were not that clear. Scribes were part of the religious structures who would give opinions on how to best keep the law.

Pharisees also gave their interpretation. We remember that St. Paul was educated as a pharisee. Keeping the law was a very serious matter. We could say that there were scribes and pharisees who were scrupulous in their interpretation of the law. We could also say that there were scribes and pharisees who applied the law pastorally. Scrupulosity led to believers who were guilt ridden because impossible burdens were placed on them.

Jesus was critical of religious leaders who were scrupulous. He was known to be merciful in his applications of the law. As we know, this made him the target of the scribes who believed he was uneducated and therefore unqualified to teach moral law.

There is a principle in moral law that is called conscience. Each person is a moral agent. We have the right to take in ethical and religious teaching and pray over it. We then have the right to discern a course of action. We believe that God alone can look at the hearts of people to determine motivations.

Perhaps it is easier to ask others to tell us what is right and wrong, but if we operate that way, we are not taking responsibility for our lives. Jesus seemed to trust his followers to take discernment seriously and to make virtuous choices.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I turn my moral choices over to another? Who would that be?

2.   Do I believe God has course of action that I am expected to take? How do I discern the direction I should move in?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Fr. Matthew will be making his annual mission appeal at the end of August. Fr. Matthew is a member of the Society of African Missions. The Society works all over the world and seeks to spread the Gospel. Mostly, they do ministry in Africa where they have schools, medical facilities and parishes. The enter areas where there are few Catholics, and they seek to be witnesses of Christian charity.

          Fr. Matthew is here visiting with us. He is asked to do mission appeals so that the poorest of the poor will be served. Please watch for his appeal letter when it comes. I thank all those who have supported the SMA appeal in the past. Your dollars have made a big difference.

          May Our Lady pray for us today,

          Fr. Mark