COMMENT ON THE LITURGY OF THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Collect
O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's under standing; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Readings
Rm 6:3-11; Mt 5:20-26
Comment
In his letter to the Romans, Paul offers us a profound theological reflection on the meaning of baptism. This is not a simple rite of purification and a call to conversion, as was the case in some Jewish ablution rituals or in the case of John's baptism. Christian baptism is a unique and unrepeatable event, it is a baptism "in Christ Jesus", "in his death", as a prefiguration and promise of the resurrection with him.
In Christ, in our baptism, we die to sin "once and for all", to live in God. Now, this is accomplished beyond our alleged "merits", it is done freely and is obtained for the merits of the death of Jesus; this is made even more evident in the baptism of infants, an expression of the grace that comes to meet us and that prevents our very request for salvation.
In a certain sense, therefore, salvation "is cheap", because it is given to us by grace and not by merit. But for this very reason, we must consider it "at a high price". We did not pay, but Christ bought it through his blood. How can such a gift be received superficially?
For this reason, a radical approach is required in living according to Christ, which gives unexpected depth and breadth to the precepts of the ancient law. "If your righteousness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven at all," says Jesus. It is about falling into the legalism and precepts of the doctors of the law, against whom Jesus often finds himself clashing. It is a question of grasping and amplifying the precept of charity, underlying the entire law. Thus "do not kill" becomes a reminder not to hurt one's neighbor even with words and reconciliation with one's brother becomes an indispensable prerequisite for being able to present one's offerings to God: worship in the temple, is not abolished, but is subordinate to worship in Spirit and truth, who recognizes in his neighbor a creature redeemed by Christ with his sacrifice.
We therefore present our members "as instruments of justice to God", according to the invitation that the apostle Paul addresses to us in his letter. Let us remember the greatness of the debt that was forgiven us and let us not behave like that man who obtained mercy from his creditor but acts mercilessly with his own debtor. Christ paid the price of our ransom, but we will be judged according to justice and we will be asked to account to the last cent for the charity that God has given us, calling us to share it with every man.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
