Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
I work out on most days and I work out to cooking shows. One of my favorite shows is, Chopped. The show is almost always very competitive and fierce. Afterall, fame and ten thousand dollars are on the line. Chefs do not let go of opportunities to run their opponents down or play on their opponent’s weaknesses. That is why a recent episode stood out for me. Two finalists were vying for the ice-cream machine. After making a raspberry sorbet, the chef knowing that the other chef was waiting to put his ice-cream mix into the ice-cream machine, said, “I am a fierce competitor, but I am also a fair competitor.” With barely any time left in the competition, he made it a point to clean the ice-cream machine, so that his opponent would not be at a disadvantage. When the food was presented to the judges, the second chef was able to plate a delicious ice-cream just in the nick of time, thanks to his opponent.
Today’s scripture readings focus on one of the most important dimensions of our lives - our relationship - particularly our relationship with our opponents and enemies. And God has something to say. I hear God say three things to us!
- …As I am Holy! Both today’s first and gospel readings have a similar demand made of believers. In the first reading, God asked Moses to declare to the whole Israelite community: “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy” (Lev 19:1-2). Let us not miss the invitation to the whole Everyone is invited to be holy, not only the religious ministers and leaders. In the gospel reading, Jesus makes a similar demand: “Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect!” (Mt 5:48). Whether each one of us can be holy like God is a good question. After all, God is God and we are mere creatures. Perhaps, we should look beyond the commandments. In inviting us to be holy like God, God gives us our true worth. We originate from God. We come from God. We are made in God’s image and likeness. We are created holy! God considers each one of us part of God’s being and part of life. Beyond the commandments is a God who treats us with sanctity. The invitation is to stay holy.
- Holiness Redefined - I. What comes to your mind when you think of holiness? Who is a holy person? Today’s scripture readings attach holiness to one of the most complex realities of our life – relationships. Both the command to be “holy” like God in today’s first reading, and the invitation to the “perfect” like the heavenly father in today’s gospel reading are attached to our relationship with those we have trouble getting along with. First, let us reflect on the Mosaic command. The Mosaic injunction is very practical. It admits that difficult relationships are part of life. Hence the expectation from the Israelites is simply this – that disagreements do not turn into hatred. In fact, as the first reading says, we can incur sin on account of hatred for another person. How does hatred become sinful? In two ways – by cherishing grudges and taking revenge. Thus far, the treatment of this issue is stated in the negative (Do not…). But the Law also states the commandment positively. The commandment ends with, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Let me summarize. Who is holy? A holy person is one who may have disagreements with others but does not allow it to turn into hatred. A holy person does not take revenge or cherish grudges. In reality, holy people love their neighbor as themselves.
- Holiness Redefined - II. In the gospel reading, Jesus invites us to perfection. Once again, just as the Mosaic commandment, Jesus has a greater expectation of his disciples. As Jesus says, what is the point in being like the tax-collector or pagans? Jesus disciples are invited to hold themselves to a higher standard. As Paul says in today’s second reading, “Do you not know that you are the temples of the Holy Spirit!” (I Cor 3:16).We are no ordinary people. We are holy temples of a holy God. We are children of the Heavenly Father. We strive for perfection. We strive to imitate the perfect Son of the Heavenly Father, Jesus!” Let me return to the story of the two chefs on Chopped. The chef who took time to clean the ice-cream machine for his opponent ended up losing the competition. On TV, he lost. I believe, though, that in God’s eyes, he was the winner. In my book too, he is the winner because, he strived to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect. I am not sure if he was a Christian or not. All I know is that he acted like one. He treated his opponent in the way he himself would like to be treated. Let me summarize. Who is holy? The holy person is one who deals with opponents and enemies in the same way that Jesus deals with them. Yes, we dare to treat others with respect, integrity, dignity, and love even if they are our opponents and enemies. That is the mark of a Christian. That is what sets us apart.
As you know, there is lot of hatred out there. There is also a lot of hatred within the Church. We have choices to make. "Be holy, as I am holy" God says to us. "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect," Jesus says. What will we do?
- Fr. Satish Joseph