Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. One of the big concerns when I was growing up was how much of the mass you needed to attend in order for it to “count.” If I made it before the gospel??? Can I leave after Communion??? That mentality exemplifies minimalist thinking. What is the least that I have to do to avoid punishment. Jesus calling us to surpassing righteousness encourages maximal thinking. Instead of the least, what more can I do out of my love for God. As the Old Testament lesson demonstrates sometimes the “more” requires doing something unpleasant. Elijah’s servant was probably unhappy to be sent up the mountain seven times all for nought. But because he did his duty with fidelity he as able to save the king. Doing more for God does not necessarily mean taking on something extra but rather living out one’s daily providence, even when tedious with an open heart.
JUNE132024
By Church Staff
