You have heard it said … But I say …

Fair to say?

People tend to resist change;

Old people resist even more?

Qoheleth

Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV-CE

9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

And yet

Today’s readings

Each presents the way things were

the way things are, starting now.

Isaiah

Moves the focus from crushing Israel’s enemies

Saying:

Isaiah 43:18 ESV-CE

18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.

3. Then proceeds to a scene of

4. new life in the desert, preparing the way for his people to cross.

Paul

Immediately before today’s passage recounted those things on which he had relied for salvation:

Philippians 3:5–6 ESV-CE

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

2. Then: Phil 3:7-8

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV-CE

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Gospel

The Pharisees confront Jesus with a dilemma: “According to the Law … “

Jesus, after tracing on the ground with his finger:

English Standard Version Catholic Edition Chapter 8

stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

then:

John 8:10–11 ESV-CE

10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

We see Jesus working the power of his new way of life, this new relationship to God and to one another

Jesus doesn’t ignore sin or dismiss it,

he forgives it

and urges the (former) sinner to ‘sin no more’.

I hear Isaiah cheering, (“Remember not the things of old … “)

And Paul, adding: Eph 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 ESV-CE

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Judaeo-/Christian faith has always overturned common notions of faith

Why should we think God would stop doing new things in our days?

Are we with Qoheleth

Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV-CE

9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Or,

Are we more like Paul, who said:

Philippians 3:14 ESV-CE

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

And in the next chapter, spelling out some of the ways this new life requires of us

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV-CE

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Will this Holy Week and Easter

be a re-hash of past events

or a call, once again, as Paul says to the Ephesians Eph 4:22-24

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV-CE

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.