The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany - 20 February 2011
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Psalm 119:33-40
I corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
Saint Mathew 5:38-48
BACKGROUND
Readings from the Book of Leviticus in the Eucharistic Lectionary are limited to two Sundays, both in Ordinary Time, and consisting, largely, of the same reading. It might be a good time, therefore to uncover this book for us. In this day and age, Leviticus enters into the conversation largely to mine its comments on sexual purity, so some may predisposed to dismiss at a source of guidance or wisdom. The roots of Leviticus are apparent in both its name and in its content, consisting largely of rules and regulations regarding the Levitical priesthood and the nations quest for holiness. Passed down from the earliest of times, the material was shaped by numerous redactors and commentators, and comes to us from a post-exilic hand whose purpose is to instruct the people in the ancient practices of worship and right living. Given that, we are met with a series on temple ritual, namely, sacrifice, priestly service, the setting aside of priests, legal purity, the Day of Atonement, the Holiness Code, and a discussion on votive offerings. Baruch Levine, in his article on Leviticus in Etz Hayim – Torah and Commentary, summarizes the intent of the book well: “…(it) reflects the central concerns of the ancient Israelites: Perhaps the most vital of these was to know how they were to express their loyalty to the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.
You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.
You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Micah characterizes the question of the community in his 6th chapter when he asks, “With what shall I come before the Lord?” The editors and authors of Leviticus give a more fulsome answer, replete with all the different ways and attitudes that should accompany the community’s holiness. Indeed that is the first requirement. The Hebrew is quite emphatic. Our translation of “You shall be holy,” is more properly rendered “You must be holy.” Then, in a recounting of the Law of Moses, Leviticus lays out all the requirements of holiness. Thus we see commentary on the various commandments: stealing, lying, swearing falsely, speaking poorly of another, and hatred. Added to this mix of the ancient requirements, with the realities of life after the Exile, are rules about the harvest, and the poor (see the Book of Ruth). Although this book explores ritual holiness, it also takes a quite realistic stand about what is required of a community’s holiness as well.
Breaking open Leviticus
- Is there an aspect of holiness in your life?
- Which of the commandments that the author of Leviticus reiterates is the most compelling to you? Why?
- What does it mean to love your neighbor as you love yourself? Do you love yourself?
Psalm 119:33-40
Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
I shall keep it with all my heart.
Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for that is my desire.
Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain.
Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
give me life in your ways.
Fulfill your promise to your servant, *
which you make to those who fear you.
Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
because your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for your commandments; *
in your righteousness preserve my life.
Again we have a reading from the acrostic psalm (Initial letter in each set of 8 verses) 119. Today’s reading includes a section from “H” (he) (33-40). Made up of various elements, from a variety of sources, the Wisdom psalm expresses the core value of both praising and keeping the Law. The psalm characterizes G-d as the instructor, and the psalmist as one desiring insight, and obedience.
Breaking open Psalm 119:33-40
1. What role does God play in this psalm?
2. When you think of God’s Law, what comes to your mind?
3. How do the commandments affect your life?
I Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
and again,
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."
So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-- all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
In our continuing reading from First Corinthians, Paul carries on with his instruction to the people of Corinth. Paul is a master of allusion, and here uses the image of a building, more specifically a temple, as his central metaphor. Paul is not ambitious in his self-praise, only indicating that he has constructed a foundation (and even then he notes that Christ is the actual builder of the foundation, or perhaps actually is the foundation. Others will be called upon to build the entire structure. Then, using the same image, he suddenly makes his reader see that he or she is the structure – God’s temple – with the Spirit dwelling within. The holiness of God’s temple becomes the holiness of God’s people.
There is a second point as well. Paul contrasts wisdom and foolishness, and reminds the Corinthians that their own wisdom is limited and faulty. He underscores his point with a quotation from Job 5:12, and Psalm 94:11. The pride of knowledge must give way to total absorption into the wisdom and body of Christ.
Breaking open I Corinthians:
- What does Saint Paul mean when he calls your body “a temple”?
- In what ways are you wise in the world? In what ways are you wise in the Spirit?
- Of all the groups in your life, which is the most important, what is your most important sense of identity?
Saint Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Jesus continues his instruction of the disciples; having moved from adultery, divorce, and oaths, he now focuses on revenge. In doing so, he confronts an ancient attitude that obtains to our own day. Jesus preaches an attitude of non-resistance and concession. Four separate examples are shown: physical violence, legal contention, forced service, and requests for help. In each of these, Jesus promotes a sense of doing for the other.
Matthew’s audience would be familiar with the “enemy” that Jesus enjoins us to love. It would have been the persecutor, the one opposed to following the way of Jesus. There is an odd discrepancy in the teaching, however, as Matthew’s Jesus points to two despised classes – tax collectors, and gentiles, who are treated more kindly in other instances of Jesus’ teaching and work. The reading closes with a reflection of the Leviticus reading: “Be perfect, therefore…”
Breaking open the Gospel:
- What do you think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s non-violent teachings?
- What do you think of Jesus’ ideas about passivity? Is it possible in your life today?
- What do see as God’s sense of justice as reflected in this passage?
After breaking open the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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