God says: ditch the training wheels

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 14, 2011
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Matt. 15:21-28 “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David”

One thing that almost everyone does as a child is learn how to ride a bike. In America, this is almost a rite of passage in growing up and entering a new stage of life. This makes sense, because riding a bike means that the child can get around more and becomes independent. Personally, I can remember getting my first bike and taking off the training wheels. What followed was a summer of progress, but also many nasty falls! Training wheels are necessary; they help the child to learn how to balance themselves on the bike and gain confidence. But, inevitably those two small wheels must be taken off if the child is ever to progress.  The smart parent knows the right time to take those training wheels off. If they are taken off too early then the child is not ready. Too late they may get use to them.

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In the first reading today, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah telling the people to “observe what is right, do what is just.”  The Jewish people are truly the chosen people and God’s call is “irrevocable.” Long ago the Lord chose Abraham and his decedents to be in a covenant or relationship with the Living God. This relationship was based on a mutual commitment: the Lord would take this people as his own, guiding them, and Israel would respond by following the Commands of the Lord.

He revealed himself as “the God”

Prior to this, Abraham and his forefathers had followed the religion of their region. The ancient people had many different beliefs and worshiped multiple gods. But, when the Lord appeared to Abraham he revealed himself as “the God.” The Lord would multiply the offspring of Abraham “like the stars of the sky.” Abraham’s decedents would dwell in a “promised land” and God would protect them. These descents are the Jewish people and from them came the Ten Commandments. More than ever today, we need to realize that the Ten Commandments are the path to right living and a just society. These commandments lay the foundation for our vocation to be holy or like God. They prohibit what is contrary to the love of God and neighbor; and tell us what is essential to this love.

We believe as Catholics that even if you do not grow up with knowledge of Judaism or Christianity you could still come to understand many of the truths held in the Ten Commandments. This is based on the belief that we are created in the Image of God and he has inscribed his Law upon all of our hearts.  This Law inscribed upon our hearts is the Natural Law. Because we are in his Image, we participate in the wisdom and goodness of God. But, unfortunately sin blurs our vision so not everyone can recognize the Natural Law with equal clarity.

The Old Testament reveals the new

The gift of the Law from the Old Testament is that it reveals to us the Natural Law.  The Jewish people were very privileged to have the Law, but they failed time and time again to live it out. The woman in the Gospel passage today was a Canaanite and did not have the privilege of knowing the Law, yet she recognizes Jesus and his holiness. She is persistent in her cry for help and Jesus recognizes her sincerity and faith. He grants her request and her “daughter was healed.” The Canaanite woman in some way acted upon the Natural Law written in her heart and was drawn to the Savior.

The Old Testament and the Law were like training wheels for the Jewish people. The Lord was so patient with them as time and time again they failed. Many times they turned from the Lord and worshiped false gods. Yet, the Lord was patient and always took them back. Through this weak people, the Father prepared the way for the Messiah. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, was sent to fulfill the Law. He came to eliminate the greatest obstacle to living the Law, which is sin. Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection brought forgiveness for all people who seek it. Jesus taught us the New Law, which goes beyond the Old precepts. We are called to love as Christ loved and forgive our enemies.

No grace to live the Covenant

St. Paul refers to the Old Law as death. Of course he does not mean that it was not good. St. Paul is referring to the fact that the Ten Commandments asked the Jewish people to love as God does, but they never gave the grace to do it. This is why Israel failed so many times to live the covenant that they had made with God. Jesus asks more of us, but he gives us the Sacraments, Sanctifying Grace, and especially the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. What a gift we have been given! Yet, we must respond with generosity to God who has been so good to us.

God the Father wants to see us riding without the training wheels. The gifts of the Sacraments, Grace, and the Holy Spirit enable us to achieve a freedom that the ancient people could never have imagined. We know who God is, we know what he expects, and we have his very life to help us to live with the same radical love of Jesus our Savior. What a blessing we have as Catholics! God has not only given us the Ten Commandments, he has written them on our hearts. Let us respond with generosity to this gift! Use each moment of our lives to grow in holiness by frequenting the Sacraments. Pray often for the grace needed to live the command to love as God loves. Then, the law will become part of us. We will fulfill the law by becoming like God, holy.