Holy Martyr Justin the Philosopher and those with him (Second century)
Romans 1:28-2:9; Matthew 5:27-32.
Read Matthew 5:27-32
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Jesus continues his sermon on the mount with a series of sayings which take the following form: “you have heard that it was said…but I say to you…”. Hearing Christ speak in this way, it comes as no surprise that some in the crowd perceived Jesus to be endeavoring to supplant the Mosaic law with his own proclamations.
Why does he who came not to abolish the law (cf Matthew 5:17) employ such language? In reflecting on this passage, St. John Chrysostom tells us that, “He was proceeding to ordain commandments greater than those of old…and to mark out a way for a kind of divine and heavenly conversation” (Homily 16 on Matthew). In essence, Jesus is trying teach us the true meaning of the law.
Chrysostom’s commentary also employs this striking phase, “the law is disturbed for its preservation”. As Catholics, we encounter an abundance of laws. Laws that govern the timing and manner of our fasting and feasting, the occasions upon which celebrations, such as marriages, can take place, the days we are obliged to participate in the liturgy, and numerous others. These laws exist for our benefit, yet at times, they pose the temptation to inadvertently reduce the entire Christian life to a mere adherence to regulations.
Such reduction is an impoverishment. Mere compliance with the letter of the law may engender a sense of righteousness, but it fails to effectuate true healing. In our Eastern Christian tradition, salvation is always understood primarily as a process of healing. Our objective lies in being healed of our infirmities, rather than being validated with a legal status of ‘not guilty.’
Through this lens, we discern the significance of Jesus’s teachings in today’s Gospel: Merely refraining from physically committing the sin of adultery renders us guiltless in a legal sense; however, we may yet remain unhealed, still subservient to the dominion of our tumultuous passions.
Yet, should we, by the grace of God, cleanse our hearts, our passions relinquish their hold on us. Consequently, we will not “look upon a woman lustfully”; instead, we become liberated to perceive individuals as they truly are – our brothers and sisters, our authentic co-heirs with Christ, who, within themselves, unveil a glimpse of God’s marvelous essence.