February 17, 2014

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago….”

It’s just a little strange thinking about what to write this week. There’s the snow, the Olympics, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, the Beatles 50^th anniversary of the Ed Sullivan Show, neighbors that use their snow blowers to dig out your driveway, vacation, vacations that don’t work out as planned, fondue dinners (that would require explanation). There is this wealth of activity and interests that fill our culture and thus our lives these days; voices from everywhere like the multitude of Facebook posts randomly scattered across the computer screen. I guess it’s always been that way. Life is relentless moving “from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time” (Macbeth Act 5, Scene 5) and we comment on it endlessly and celebrate its various aspects and reflect about all the pros and cons of this and that. Joni Mitchell looked at life “from both sides now” and concluded “I really don’t know life at all.” And so, above Jesus asks his hearers to reflect on some of the many bits of wisdom and command that had come down to them through the ages. The kicker is coming when he adds “but I say to you.” With everything that goes on, and drones on, and piles up, and clambers for attention, how does anyone hear what Jesus has to say? How will you hear him this week?