Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 2024

Rabbis tried to define the case law to keep Israel pure. Instead Jesus tells us we must take inward and live the apodictic law, for our of the heart come the passions that defile us. That is why Deut ch 4 says we must live the commandments without changing them. God will help one define them from the heart if our heart is to do his good. James points to the passions giving birth to death but the Father giving birth to life through the implanted logos. Thus acting out anger towards human is never good, for it does not work God’s righteousness. Instead, “receive the implanted logos” and that will guide us into right action. If it is just heard without action it is of no good to us. Therefore: not all that claims to be biblical and cites bible is from God. The heart of our faith is in the motivations of the heart, not outward ritual actions. It is whether I am living my life or performing my ritual under obedience to church authorities and coram deo. So slow down, listen carefully, and speak reluctantly and then instead of the death-producing, uncontrolled passions, receive the life-giving divine logos from the God who wills only good and become the best of creation doing those impulses God puts in your heart and then you will be walking in God’s loving life.

Notes

Transcript

Title

Living from Gift not the Passions

Outline

The Pharisees were concerned with making Israel pure

If Israel were pure, then God would overthrow the Romans through a Messiah figure and true worship could be restored. Therefore they had to make the purity regulations of the Torah visible and defined, which meant a detailed reading of the case law of the Torah - what does it mean to “make an image” and what does it mean to “tithe.” Jesus calls them hypocrites, for these traditions, while helpful, could also be used to cover neglecting the apodictic law of the Torah, the inner passions, what we would call the seven deadly sins (when passions are out of control). “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.”

These defile even if one’s observance of personal and liturgical ritual is perfect.

That is why Deut ch 4 says we must observe the commandments.

“You shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.” The commandments at root go to the heart. They may need definition, but less so if one’s heart is right. If for the love of God you want to love your neighbor or your enemy you will find a way and it may not depend on defining exactly how much one must give or under what circumstances one must do good to one’s enemy. You will look at Jesus, who took the Torah to the heart in Matt ch 5 (and //) and see what he did and the Spirit will enable you to apply it creatively.

James makes the source and result of actions very clear

Before our reading he has been talking about blaming God for our sins and then gives a gives a chain of birth: passions not controlled give birth to sin and sin not controlled gives birth to death. That is not good. The good gifts, the mature or complete gifts come from above, from the Father who gives good and never evil, who gave us the most perfect gift when he gave birth to us by the word of truth , that is, gave us life, not death, making us the very best, the firstfruits of his new creation [or there could be a Gen ch 1 reference]. What a contrast with the passions.

James draws some conclusions: while feelings of anger just are and can be useful in empowering us to grab a large dog off a child and throw it over a fence, when acted upon in human situations it is never good: “human anger does not produce God’s type of justice/ righteousness.” Instead one needs with “meekness to receive the implanted word,” that life giving word or reason from God.

But it is not enough just to hear things like this. If it stops there it is an illusion. You have to start living it. Now notice James, following Jesus, does not give detailed rules: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” If you have the implanted word you will have the right impulses on how and when to do this.

How will we apply this?

First, not everything that claims to be biblical has the heart of God. Pharisees quoted scripture.

Second, the heart of our faith is not in outward (ritual) actions, but in the heart. Liturgy and ritual and what is considered “worldly” and the like may change. What is critical is whether or not I am living my life or performing my ritual or celebrating my liturgy under obedience to the church authorities Christ put in place and coram deo. What is coming out of my heart?

Third, as the rabbis also knew, the passions must be controlled or else they become demonic. Recognize them, speak the truth to them, and use their energy for good ends, God inspired ends, life-giving ends. There is no righteous anger directed towards people. Slow down, listen carefully, speak reluctantly. That is what James teaches.

Finally, instead of the death-producing uncontrolled passions, receive the life-giving divine logos from the God who wills only good and become the best of creation and do those impulses he put in your hearts and then you will save, deliver or heal your selves, for you will be walking in his loving life.