Date: Sunday, February 12, 2017
In 1940 young Bedouin goatherds discovered a cave in Judean desert. The teens explored the cave and found ancient jars in a row containing parchments that would come to be known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. By 1956 11 caverns were excavated. On Wednesday archaeologists announced the finding of a 12th cave. Within the jars are fragments of religious and biblical texts including the earliest known version of the Ten Commandments.
Today, in the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Jesus is preaching to his disciples about the interpretation of this foundational text of the Jewish people and their covenant with God. Jesus is differing with the “scribes” who find multiple applications of the 10 Commandments in rules and regulations; and with the “Pharisees” who stress external observance of the law. Jesus finds God’s original intention in the sacred law code known as the Torah and stresses the importance of the underlying disposition of the heart.
The commandment: “You shall not kill” means more than deliberately taking the life of another. We are liable for judgment when we harbor anger in our hearts. “You shall not commit adultery” is more than a physical act. Jesus condemns the lusting in our hearts. “Do not take a false oath.” Jesus says there is no need to make an explicit vow if we strive always to speak the truth.
We may say to ourselves that we have not committed murder or adultery or perjured ourselves but the battle between good and evil starts within. Our hearts can be cauldrons simmering with deadly passions of anger and resentment, of lust, and of deception. Our decisions to do something good or to do something bad begin with our thoughts. Sinful thoughts lead to poor choices and harmful behaviors. “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.”