What are the ‘standards of right and wrong’ by which you live your life? These standards might be the mark of authenticity you seek in others?  On what values are they based?

The Christian of today lives in a tit-for-tat world. We do our job and expect others to reward our performance. Our world is a 'you-scratch-my-back-and-I’ll-scratch-yours' world, mutual rights mean mutual obligations. In our 'I-owe-you-one' world, service performed implies a right to future compensation. The challenge of the readings this weekend is that for a Christian, the above are not our standards of right and wrong. To be a disciple is to expect nothing in return. There must be a difference in the way we conduct our lives. We are called to radical living.

The book of Leviticus gives the believers two essential prescriptions for authentic living (standards of right and wrong). The first one is: To be holy as God is, and this implies the second prescription to be like God to act and love as God does. We discover how God is and acts, through how he deals with us and our sins (the neighbor).  "You shall not bear hatred for your brother and sister in your heart. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:17-18). Our love of God cannot be separated from our love of neighbor.  

What change does this require of you?

"You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.

Matthew’s gospel is very radical.  Jesus creates new standards of right and wrong. Instead of retaliation, there is submission. Instead of redress, there is forgiveness. Instead of minimal compliance, there is maximal acquiescence. To be a disciple is to live by a new radical standard of right and wrong. The new standard is to live and act as the father acts towards us. No limitations on love. The I-owe-you attitude of living is no more.  We, rather, have an obligation to serve others.

Husbands and wives are challenged to ask each other: What’s in it for you? Not: What is it for me? The children in the family are urged to ask their parents: What can I do for you? Not: What can you do for me? Priests and religious are compelled to ask: How can I meet your needs? Not: How can you meet my needs? To be a disciple is to be called to live radically.

The Eucharist is the radical symbol of the radical love of the Son. Jesus lives his life with a radical new standard. We are his followers and must adopt that radical way of living too.

Have a Blessed Lent!
- Fr. Anthony Mpagi