Trinity IX- Luke 15:11-32- Divine Mercy

The traditional Gospel for this Sunday from St. Luke 15:11-32 is well known. In fact, it might be so well known that we overlook its depth of meaning. It has often been called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and the prodigal or wasteful son is certainly important, but we should notice that there are three central characters in the story: 1) the ungrateful and wasteful son who repents and returns home, 2)  the legalistic and resentful older brother who is jealous and hurt, and 3) the merciful, gracious, and forgiving father who celebrates the prodigal's return and admonishes the older son.

Focusing on any of the three characters can provide much food for thought. All human beings share characteristics of the prodigal or wasteful son and of the older self-righteous and resentful son. Like both sons, we need changes in our thoughts and in our behavior. 

Nevertheless, the central character in the parable is the forgiving father. This father exemplifies the qualities of God the Father. He cares for both sons and wants what is best for them. He respects their freedom and allows them to develop in their individual ways. He gives them guidance and sustenance, and He is saddened when they misunderstand Him, make mistakes, and stray in their different ways. Nevertheless, His love endures and is ready to express itself anew if His children repent and return in humility. In His graciousness, He is ready to rejoice and have a feast when penitents return. We all have such a loving, gracious, and forgiving heavenly Father; so let us arise and go to Him in humility.

Trinity VIII- Romans 8:12-17

 In different ways, both the Epistle and the Gospel for Eighth Sunday after Trinity are warnings about spiritual life. The Gospel points to the dangers of bad spiritual leaders, and the Epistle points to the spiritual struggles of individual souls. This time, my focus is on the Epistle from Romans 8:12- 17. In these few verses, St. Paul contrasts the fleshly life with the true spiritual life. By the "flesh," the Apostle is not referring to the mere fact of human physical existence. Here "flesh" is referring to the fallenness and weakness of the human condition. And by spiritual, Paul is not exalting some vague notion of an immaterial aspect of existence. Rather, the Apostle is encouraging a life inspired by and empowered by the Holy Spirit, a life directed toward God the Father, and a life lived in unity with God the Son, Jesus Christ. Such a Christian life includes a renunciation of worldliness and a readiness to accept the cross of Christ.

In this life, every Christian faces an ongoing struggle between the fallen nature and the higher self dedicated to God. Every aspect of life, from our basic physical needs to our highest religious ideals is subject to temptation and distortion. Of course, physical things such as food, creature comforts, and sexual impulses are common fleshly temptations, but so are pride in our moral standing and dependence on the goodness of our own religious practices. To use Paul's term, we must always be ready to "mortify" our dependence on even our best characteristics. In all areas of earthly life, we need to be healed by divine grace and accept divine guidance. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we need to be unified with Christ and His cross more and more deeply

Trinity VI- Matthew 5: 20-26

 The Gospel from St. Matthew 5:20-26 addresses the issue of the Old Testament and divine Law. Christ teaches that His work is inseparable from God's revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures. These verses may be viewed as a comment on an earlier verse. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." These words of our Lord proclaim the enduring value of the old covenant. Christ does not destroy the Old Testament; He fulfills it. He fulfills it by obeying it perfectly and by applying it in a deeper way. He emphasizes the principles and attitudes underlying the specific commandments.

Unfortunately, from New Testament times onward, some professing Christians have not respected the true value of the Hebrew covenant. That was true in ancient times and many times since then. Thus, Anglican Article of Religion VII defends the proper value of the Old Testament. The basic point is in these words- "The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man." 

This means that Christians must not dismiss the Old Testament as irrelevant. The spiritual and moral implications of the Hebrew covenant are still a guide for Christians.  Law and Gospel are interwoven together in both Testaments. While some cultural and legal details do not apply to Christians, believers must still hear the Old Testament with respect. They should see how it honors God, how it points to Christ, and how it expects believers to be guided by God's moral Law.

We live in an age of relativism and disrespect for rules. Some so-called Christians deliberately reject eternal moral principles, and many do not appreciate the value of the Old Testament. While Christians live in a new covenant of grace, the Hebrew Scriptures are still a foundation. Even Hebrew rites that do not apply to Christians may teach us something about the work of Christ and the life of the believer.

So today's Gospel is a reminder that Christ does not destroy the Law and the Prophets. Christians are not bound by the minute details of Hebrew jurisprudence and ceremonial, and we are not saved by our good works. However, the spiritual and moral principles revealed by God in the Old Testament apply throughout human history. They apply in our time and in our lives. And we must beware lest we despise what God has revealed. The Law should always point us to the Gospel!