Epiphany 6A

The Cathedral Church of the Nativity Sermon: Epiphany 6A February 16, 2014 The Very Rev. Anthony R. Pompa Matthew 5:21-37 I know a man who on one occasion having visited with him in his home, I left with an overwhelming sense that I had just been graced by pure goodness. There was nothing out of the ordinary about this visit, in fact just knowing and being known by this particular person, one experiences this goodness absolutely in the ordinary. Onc I have come to believe that this sense of goodness comes not out of this persons following a law or rule where he knows how to behave or not behave because of what is dictated as right or wrong, but rather this pure goodness flows it seems from his very being; as if his very being has taken on the meaning of goodness and grace and it shines like the light of day on any who are fortunate enough to stand in that light---stand in it and you might even find yourself stronger, less afraid, even warmed at heart. One could say he is graceful; that is full of grace. Our gospel lesson for today comes from a section of the Sermon on that Mount that traditionally has been called “Antitheses,” because Jesus’ teaching in reference to Mosaic law is presented in the following pattern: First, Jesus says, “you have heard that it was said ”; then Jesus follows with his own magisterial statement, “but I say to you”. Though scholars have labeled this section of Jesus teaching as “antithesis” it is important to remember the earlier claim by Jesus that he has come to “fulfill” not “replace” the law. As Jesus makes reference to the law, for the listener being invited to participate in the Kingdom he enfleshes, one must hear not a new rule or directive to follow or obey for behaviors sake, but an invitation to be move to a higher principle in heart, mind, and soul. In other words, what Jesus offers is not a new Law to follow, but a new life to be formed and found. A life so well practiced that one’s very being shines light, regardless of any circumstance that may challenge. The Antithesis begin when Jesus says; “You have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment.” Jesus knows that may who are listening will behave in such a say as to not kill. But a heart formed in the Kingdom will beat in knowledge that even relationships can be killed by anger, resentment, jealousy and sin. If your heart is in such a place you best quickly get on with reconciling it because it is deadly to the heart. Or as author Anne Lamott wrote,” the inability to forgive is like taking rat poison and expecting the rat to die.” The greater Kingdom’s heart calling is to love others as we would have them love us, even when wronged. The commandment is given not just so that we won’t kill each other, but so that our “life position” who will be to seek reconciliation. Jesus continues; “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” And “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’” Jesus teaches that the Kingdom heart goes beyond the obeying of law to refrain from an act of adultery or from swearing falsely; to a higher plane that considers beating beyond objectifying another human being; rising above the temptation to mislead or harm others with words. At the end of the day, a new Kingdom life found oozes integrity, goodness, honesty, fidelity, reliability, that no oath even need be taken. Those who see the Kingdom heart will be warmed by the light of integrity, strengthened by it, be a little less afraid, warmed by the certainty of yes to the good, and no to other. Jesus teaching today invites us to see the “fulfilling of law” as an invitation to a new life “full of grace”. A life that goes beyond an understanding of following a code of do’s and don’t’s of behaviors to a life whose Being IS Grace itself. Like a ballerina who practices her entire life and the do’s and don’ts of her technique get lost in thought and memory as the passion of her heart explodes into a movement that leaves her audience in tears! Today we welcome Costas Michael Vasilliadis into the household of Christ’s Church. By the waters of baptism we pray he be invited into a Kingdom’s heart. A heart and life filled with integrity, goodness, honesty, and fidelity, faithfulness. And by God’s grace, may he be someone whose heart full of Christ, may shine this grace ordinarily or extraordinarily, where others my find themselves strengthened by it, be a little less afraid because they know him, warmed by him. Amen.