2 Thess 2:1-3, 14-17 / Matthew 23:23-26
When it comes to observing religious duties, we like things that are straight-forward.
We like to
know when are the days of obligation, when are the days of fasting and
what to eat and not to eat and how much or how little can we eat.
These
religious observations are important as an expression of our faith, and
we should know if we had done our religious duties that is required of
us.
What is also important are religious duties that cannot be measured or that cannot be spelt out straight-forward.
And these are what Jesus pointed out in today's gospel passage - justice, mercy and good faith.
And that is when being a disciple of Jesus gets rather difficult.
Because there is no measure for justice when it is understood as a loving tolerance to those who have done us wrong.
There is no measure for mercy when it is understood as an act of kindness to those who make mistakes.
And there is no measure for faithfulness when it comes to keeping our word and loyalty to others.
Where the letter of the law end, the spirit of discipleship begins.
Let us observe what the Church teaches and yet may we also have the spirit of discipleship - justice, mercy and faithfulness.