Second Sunday after Pentecost (proper 4): May 29, 2005.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28

Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24

Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-28 (29-31)

Matthew 7:21-29

First Reading

In the Prayer of the Day we affirm that God has "revealed Your will to Your people and promised to help us all." Then we formally and directly ask, "Help us to hear and do what You command...."

God had some "helps" for Israel: (1) "Wear "headbands," phylacteries, with the words of the Law written upon them; (2) Teach the words of the Law constantly to children, each generation learning from the one preceding; (3) Write the words of the Law on the doorposts of Israelite homes. In other words, make them visible, plain, and a priority. That's because there was only one choice. Israel faced either blessings or curse for its obedience or disobedience.

Paul's primary subject in Romans is "the righteousness of God." Romans 1:16-17 was for Martin Luther a key text. Interpreters battle over whether ek piteous goes with dikaios or with zesetai. The passage is quoting the prophet Habakkuk, and Habakkuk was calling for faithful obedience and patience in the face of threat. Paul uses the prophet's words to argue that God's righteousness is God's saving power, God's will to save. The Good News of Jesus' victory over sin and death is the Word that brings saving grace to all, whether Jew or Greek. Far from being something of which to be ashamed, the cross of Jesus brings life to all.

Jesus warns in his final words of the "Sermon on the Mount" that not mere confession with lips, "Lord, Lord," merits the kingdom. Jesus is concerned about those who act as well as confess. One can build on sand and slide into the sea, or one can build on a firm foundation and stand against many threats. The one who hears (akouein) and does (poiein) Jesus' words has built on solid rock.

Pastoral Reflections

Much debate and discussion has taken place over public display of the Ten Commandments. Moses is clearly on the side of the Alabama judge who fought so hard in that state's Supreme Court for public display. Moses' intent, it seems, was to keep God's Torah ("Law," also read "words of life") in front of the people. The theory was, I guess, "If they see them, they will do them."

Israel had seen God's great deliverance at the Red Sea, but she still fashioned another image at the time Moses went up the mountain at Sinai. Jesus is right. It's very easy to say, "Lord, Lord," but obeying the will of God is another matter. Matthew's community, it seems, saw many "charismatic Christians," people of special dedication who were both able to do powerful deeds and admired by many in the community. Matthew argues, however, that miracles and special gifts are not necessarily proofs of faithfulness. One's faith can be accurately measured not from top down but from bottom up. The house built on sand collapses. The person rooted in Jesus stands despite every threat.

Display of the commandments may be important (surely, teaching the commandments generation to generation is!), but acting with love and mercy, the foundations of the commandments, is the real test. Through Matthew's Gospel and in our sermon today Jesus calls for integrity. "Help us to do what You command." "The righteous shall live by faith," and "faith is active in love." TCG