[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Gospel for Epiphany 6

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:
Dear Friends,
ere are a few more notes towards a sermon on Matthew 5.21-37 from Down 
nder.
here are many good reasons for living in Australia, one of which is that we 
re way ahead of those of you who live in America - at least in 
hronological time!  However, that does have the problem that often I don't 
et your postings till Sun night or Monday morning, our time, a bit too late 
or our Sunday morning worship.  I was somewhat moved by Judy's contribution 
ast week - especially about making good use of salt to bring out the best 
n dung.  A good point to encourage us to cooperate with the Spirit in 
inding a way through even the worst experiences, like the floods, the 
yclones and the bushfires which are devastating parts of our country, on 
op of years of drought.
ith every good wish,
oward
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* Today's Gospel reading from Matthew gives us a significant insight into 
ust how relevant Jesus' preaching of the Good News really is: he says in 
ffect "Don't get into your head that I've come to wipe out the law or the 
rophets; I haven't come to do away with anything, but instead to complete 
he depth of meaning already there."
 For many people life seems to be so empty, so meaningless, so full of 
roblems and difficulties,
 and they simply want to give up.
 But here we have a promise from Jesus that he has come to fill
ife up with its real meaning and purpose, and therefore to offer
s the way to peace and joy.
* Let's take just one example from the reading, as an illustration of what 
esus is on about: Jesus focuses on giving depth to relationships.
 One thing we hear people complaining about frequently is that
o one really knows, understands or appreciates them.
 Jesus' teaching in this passage is that he knows all about how
eep, satisfying relationships work, and he wants us to share in
hat experience too.
 He talks here about the terrible harm that we do to one another
y hurling insults backwards and forwards.
 In suggesting a scale of penalties, of course, he is encouraging
s to shy away from that damaging way of relating to one another.
 He is telling us that the relationship of love towards another
erson is what he prizes above every other duty,
 even the duty of worship: he says that it is more important
o heal a damaged relationship than to present yourself at worship;
 so important that if necessary the injured party is to take the
irst step.
 Does that sound as if he is reversing the normal order of
riority of the "Two Great Commandments"?
 or is he saying that one of the primary places we meet God is
n fact in the relationship with fellow human beings rather
han in a religious ritual, no matter how sanctified it may be?
 In this example Jesus is opening up for us the wonderful
uality of life to be found in God's New World: it is a life full of
epth and meaning.
* He also has words of life to breathe into that most intimate of all 
elationships: marriage and family life.
 The insight he shares with us is that God's plan is that we
hould find blessing within the relationship,
 not by trying to look around everywhere else, believing that
f only we were married to someone else, or if only we had
omeone else for our parents, life would be fantastic.
 Now of course, that does not mean that all marriage partners
re perfect for one another, or that all families are healthy,
ven within the Church;
 to deal with those problems we need another context, another Scripture.
 However, Jesus' insight today does suggest that if the whole family is
repared to put into practice all that God reveals to us about
iving in love, then blessing will follow;
 the kind of qualities involved are forgiveness, compassion,
nderstanding, mercy, sacrifice ..
 But if we "run away" from that teaching, so as to fracture a
amily, then we cause even greater hardship.
 Sometimes, when things have gone horribly wrong, that may
e the only way to overcome the damage and the hurts.
 But the Good News of God's New World is that there is a better way.
 Jesus will deepen our relationships with one another as we
eepen our relationship with him.
 His promise is that he will fulfill, he will bring to perfection,
he depth of God's plan and purpose.
 This is the exciting journey we began when we were baptised.
 The invitation and call is for us to live into that full and life
iving lifestyle, using all the help God makes available for us.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
he Rev'd Dr H.C. Smith
Retired Anglican Priest
Orange NSW
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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