Forward (2014-02-16) 6th Sunday (A)

Readings: Sirach 15:15-20 | Psalm 119 |  1 Corinthians 2:6-10 |  Matthew 5:17-37

6th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year A.

[__01]   RED. YELLOW. GREEN.

The traffic light, across the street, at Eagle Rock and Main – and the traffic light at every intersection – will  display as RED, YELLOW, GREEN.

The color is the law – to STOP, MOVE WITH CAUTION, Or GO.

The law of the traffic light tells us when to move.

[__02]     There are other – in person - law enforcers telling us about movement.  The New Jersey State Trooper or West Orange Police Officer may say “proceed” or “pull over”

On the basketball court, soccer or football field, the referee can either stop the players/action by a whistle or restart the play with the same sound.

The referee is the law enforcer in the boundaries of the playing surface.

?? The rules are black and white ..and so is the referee’s uniform. ??

[__03]    In the Gospel this Sunday, our Lord and Savior, Jesus, speaks about the fulfillment of the law.

Jesus says, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Then, the Lord gives us examples of what he expects of us, his followers, his disciples.

I think we are aware of how the law, the commandments invite us to

• STOP (on RED) or
• MOVE W/ CAUTION (on YELLOW)

This is true in the 10 commandments.

It is also true according to other rule books ….  breaking certain rules, speed limits will  get us a warning or a mandatory court appearance and ticket.

But, is the law always a RED light? A RED card … or a stop on the shoulder of the Garden State Parkway or 280?

[__04]    We read today from the Gospel of Matthew, a continuation of the Sermon the Mount which we are reading on Sundays at this time of year.

Through this sermon, Jesus wants us to be aware of the way in which the law is also about GO ..the green light, the way forward.

[__05]    For example, the GREEN LIGHT of RECONCILIATION and FORGIVENESS..

In the Gospel, Jesus asks us about the spiritual roadblock that might exist between you and another person or between me and another person.

Jesus gives the example of “[bringing our ] gift to the altar and there recalling that a brother [or sister … or family member or friend] has something against us.”

With such a roadblock, we might imagine that the broken relationship, broken promise, or hurt feelings are a reason to STOP, to GIVE UP.

Jesus reminds us to GO with the GREEN LIGHT, and be reconciled.

Our experience of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation is not only about being reconciled to God but also to each other.

This is also an endeavor to bring peace to others and to ourselves.

As we read in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for the will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

[__06]    There is also the GREEN LIGHT of HUMILITY and COMMUNITY.  That is, our observance of rules, of order, of organization is not only good for me – keeping me out of trouble – but also for others.

In the classroom at school (or at work), the teacher expects us to obey certain rules about talking, walking, running, homework.

But, are these rules only RED LIGHTS? Only warnings about the impending doom of detention or summer school?

Jesus invites us to see the prohibitions and the boundaries in our lives as GREEN LIGHTS.  That is, by obeying the rules, I help everyone to go forward.

[_07]    There is also the GREEN LIGHT of purity ..and of chastity.

Sometimes, we see this only as a RED LIGHT..or about what we should not do.

Jesus gives a caution to all of us about the eyes, about the way we might be tempted to visualize with intense longing, with lust. Jesus calls this, “committing adultery in one’s heart.”

Is this commandment only a RED LIGHT?

This commandment and others remind us to turn our eyes first toward those we love, to turn eyes to God in prayer and repentance, so that he might guide us to still waters, to green pastures … to go forward.

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