By Fr. Glenn Jones:

I always enjoy reading the Jewish Torah—what Christians often term the “Pentateuch”: the first five books of the Bible. Given the Judeo-Christian influence on much of the eastern hemisphere—and virtually all of the western hemisphere—even the non-believer can find even historical insight there.

For those of Judeo-Christian faith it’s much of our religion and religious history, having many simple, direct moral norms to follow … many of which are still believed by many Christians as still binding. In fact, one of the things Jesus emphasized when asked how to enter the Kingdom of God is “Keep the commandments”, (Matthew 19:17) as well as: “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19) … Jesus expanding upon those Ten in the Sermon on the Mount.

But what about the Torah’s sacrificial rites? Not for Christians; they believe that early sacrifices foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice of self on the cross–the completely and eternally effective sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The letter of the Hebrews provides a concise dissertation on that, as this short excerpt exemplifies: “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities… For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins…by [God’s] will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:1, 4, 10)

Well, how about the dietary laws? Again, not for Christians. While some point to the common sense aspect of forbidding foods which would spoil quickly in pre-refrigeration days, that consideration is only incidental. Jesus reveals the true meaning of the dietary laws: “Whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him … (Thus he declared all foods clean). What comes out of a man defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of man, comes evil thoughts, [etc.] …” (Mark 7:18-21)

Jesus always emphasizes purity of spirit, which material purity regulations foreshadowed. Thus, that to which we expose ourselves—or perhaps even actively seek out—can be “unclean foods” which defile, cultivating hatred, lust, greed, envy, etc. Think of this tragically prevalent example: Does porn engender respect in the viewer/reader for the other person, or objectify her/him—even criminally? For just as good seed bears a hundredfold, so bad seed bears at least as much and is, like a nefarious weed, difficult to eradicate.

Destroying is easier than building, and no more so than in matters of morality and spirit. Jesus warns about this: “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man… seeking rest; and finding none he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’… Then he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)

The “cleansing” of all foods by Christ also represents “cleansing” of all peoples of the world who can come to God through Jesus. ALL are invited, as was told to Peter in a vision: “`What God has cleansed you must not call common…”  (Acts 11:9) And Peter, later witnessing the Holy Spirit descend upon non-Jewish Gentiles, would also tell other Jewish converts to Christianity: “‘If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?’ When [his hearers] heard this…they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life.’”  (Acts 11:17-18)

We see this universal offer of salvation emphasized throughout the New Testament—perhaps most explicitly in St. John’s vision of the throne of God: “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…” (Revelation 7:9)

But … where lay the path?

In the Old Testament reading for the Catholic Mass today we read a very daunting, and yet essential, exhortation from God: “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy,” which Jesus would later echo: “You…must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) And emphasized today in the reading is both moving and poignant: “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister … Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:17-18)

A tall order, to be sure.  But, as the saying goes, even the longest journey begins with a single step. This is part of the narrow and rocky (and necessary) path that leads to life. For perfection consists in loving God—the Good—completely, and loving our neighbor as well, with whole heart … or “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” And love of neighbor focuses on seeking his welfare and in forgiveness. Jesus warns us that without our own forgiving of others, God will not forgive. See Matthew 6 and 18.

So, in our contentious social and political day, avoid insulting, hating, or vitriol towards others. Really, what good does those things do? They only feed an unending cycle of resentment.

St. Paul writes: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10) … and that law of love admits no exclusions. And as God IS love as St. John tells us (1 John 4:8), the more we love and the more we forgive, the more we are like God, and the more holy and the more perfect we ourselves become.

—————-

“I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”

(Matthew 5:44-46)

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.