Deuteronomy 11:18,26-28,32
Romans 3:21-25, 28
Matthew 7:21-27
Social media have given birth to any number of individuals who interpret Christian living. They speak with the pseudo-authority of modern day prophets who have been commissioned by a “greater power.”
It is easy for us to discount those who stand in Pioneer Square or use the Internet to predict the end of the world. It isn’t even difficult for us to roll our eyes when radio commentators use religion to promote their own point of view. It is far more difficult for us to discount those who seem genuinely sincere when they interpret Christianity for others.
Today’s Gospel is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount which is filled with guidelines for interpreting what Jesus asks of us. St. Augustine said that the Sermon contains “all the precepts by which the Christian life is formed.” Today’s reading tells us that we can judge our own authenticity by what we do—by how we respond to what we hear in the Sermon. It also tells us not to judge the authenticity of others.
It is unfortunate that today’s reading does not include Matthew’s final line in the exposition. “When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.” Matthew’s Gospel is very clear: Jesus is the true teacher whose interpretation of the law comes from no authority other than his own. None of us can claim that. Our authority comes from what Jesus has said to us and what we learn from the light cast on his teachings by the Magisterium of the Church.
A very wise bishop once told me that Catholic theology is “nuanced.” We rely on the Magisterium of the Church to interpret much of what Jesus tells us. What is very clear is that the most important “nuance” of what Jesus teaches is its context which is found in the Sermon on the Mount. There are those who announce that they believe in Christ without obeying him or without putting their announcement into action. They say without doing. They might well be orthodox in their theology but do not heed the words that determine the kind of a person Jesus asks us to be.
As Catholics, many of us look alike. We are involved in our parishes. We study the same doctrine and many times we say the same things. Where we might differ is in our foundation. Some rest on God’s Word. This is the rock. Others rest their faith on the opinions of others. This is the sand.
It is shifting and unstable. The house of faith is built on the strong foundation of action.
We gather at this Eucharist committed to live like people who have heard the Sermon on the Mount.
from the Catholic Sentinel by Mary Jo Tully, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Portland
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