Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5:48

It’s difficult not to speculate now and then. After all, God told us to love Him with our mind. He also told us to be perfect as He is perfect. So, here goes.

Let me lead off very bluntly. The Christian ethic of Jesus is not of this world. There, I’ve said it. We could say, it is not natural; it is abnormal. How could we be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect?

From our earliest forbearers onward; from the Neanderthals to the present, the rule of the land has always been the same. Might is right. The meek inherit, not the earth but the dirt!
Victory always goes to the swiftest; the strongest; the smartest; the most adaptable. It is true of the entire animal kingdom; it is true of mankind.

Even a quick review of recorded history makes this reality very vivid. We begin as kids playing “king of the mountain”. We wind up as president or boss of some corporation or other. That’s how the world views success.

Barring luck or inheritance, only the smartest and strongest willed wind up at the top of the heap.
We see this propensity for winning in the animal kingdom. But it is true of us, as well.
The only thing that separates us from animals, yes; the only thing, is our call to worship, our awareness that this world is not all there is. We somehow sense there is a God behind it all; a God who can bring good out of evil; a God who is ordering everything according to His providence.
Animals use tools, and to some extent possess self awareness, but you have never seen a dog genuflect or a cat make the sign of the cross.

Now, all this relates to the teachings of our Divine Lord. It really does. Do you think it is natural and normal to turn the other cheek? The natural thing is to strike back if someone hits you or a loved one. Do you honestly think monogamy or celibacy is normal and natural? Be honest now. The reality is that when we see an attractive person, we are aroused. That’s what estrogen and testosterone are all about.

Is it normal to love an enemy? To love an avowed terrorist? Is it normal to give your coat away to someone who asks you? Or walk an additional mile out of your way if so requested?

The message of Jesus, the One who came into the world to show us a better way, is the reverse of what we are taught by our society, often by our families, by our politicians, even by our church leaders. We become infected by the natural way of the world instead of responding to the supernatural, grace assisted, way of Jesus.

In Advent, Jesus bids us to help build a better world suitable for human habitation by the way He outlines for us in the Beatitudes and parables. Look to the saints, to their grace-filled lives that point us in a God-ward direction.

In this way, Jesus comes to us.

Fr. Mike Cassell

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SERIES OF TALKS ON THE PARABLES

Fr. Duffy will give a series of talks on the parables every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Pavilion, 901 S.W. 6th street Okeechobee, FL. 34974; beginning on Thursday, November 3rd. and ending on Thursday, December 15th.