“You have heard that it was said…but I tell you….”
February 13, 2011, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sirach 15:15-20 I Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:20– 45.
Second reading from 1 Corinthians
Brothers and sisters: We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.
The Word of God
Thanks be to God
Alleluia, alleluia.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you, Lord
A long litany of `You have heard that…’
Jesus said to the crowds, “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Then He proceeded to preach, saying,
(1) “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, `You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I tell you: whoever is angry with his brother will be brought before the judge.” 5:20-22
(2) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart.” 5:27-28
(3) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you: if a man divorces his wife, and she has not been unfaithful, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery, if she marries again, and the man who marries her also commits adultery.” 5:31-32
(4) “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not break your vows to God, but must fulfill them all.’ But I tell you: Don’t make any vows at all. Your `Yes, I will’ or your `No I won’t’ should be enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.” 5:33-37
(5) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you: Do not take revenge on someone who does you wrong. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap you on the left cheek as well.” 5:38-39
(6) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I tell you: love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become the sons of your Father in heaven.” 5:43-45
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Deconstructing prevailing views
The second half of Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount is a long litany: six times it repeats the formula “You have heard that it was said … but I tell you.”(Mt. 5: 20–22; 26–28; 31–32; 33–34; 38–39; 43– 45) Some say that in this litany Jesus is taking a teaching common in the Judaism of His day and is giving it a new and loftier meaning. Others say He is simply unpacking the true and full meaning of the Law as it was originally intended (especially in contrast to the literal and narrow approach of the Pharisees). In his book What Would Jesus Deconstruct? John Caputo says that in this passage Jesus is `deconstructing’ prevailing views regarding the Law. He is saying, "This is what we always assumed that passage is saying, but let's take another look at it to see if our assumption is right."
Bp. Untener tried to deconstruct
Former Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, Kenneth Edward Untener (1937- 2004) was a good shepherd for the people of the Saginaw Diocese. He was a comforter for his priests and a challenge to his fellow bishops. He sold the bishop's mansion and proceeded to live in 69 rectories over the next 24 years. People said his office was the trunk of his car. His first words as bishop to the people of Saginaw were: "My name is Ken, and I will be your waiter for a long, long time.” His funeral Mass, attended by some 1,800 people, evoked tears and laughter, audible "amens" and a standing ovation.
1993 was the 25th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (which reaffirmed the Church's stand against artificial birth control). Bp. Untener used the occasion to ask his Church to deconstruct its teaching on birth control, and to an open a new and open discussion on the subject. Untener was saying to his Church, “You say that all forms of artificial contraception are forbidden, but I say to you, `Let’s take another look at this to see if this assumption of ours is right.’”
Archbp. Hunthausen tries to deconstruct
The former Archbishop of Seattle (1975-1991), Raymond Hunthausen (b.1921) was a great advocate for the poor and the marginalized. He spoke out courageously about controversial issues in the Church, like artificial contraception and homosexuality. Already in 1977 he courageously and publicly defended the rights of gays and lesbians. He permitted a homosexual group called Dignity to hold its own Mass in his cathedral. “They're Catholics, too,” he explained. "They need a place to pray.” Some grumblers managed to have the Vatican strip him of some of his episcopal authority, because “his lack of clarity about homosexuality had confused the faithful.” Hunthausen said to his Church, “You have heard that it was said that gays are `an abomination unto the Lord.’ (Lv 18:22) But I say to you, `Let’s take another look at this to see if this assumption of ours is right.'”
Bp. Gumbleton tries to deconstruct
Former Auxiliary Bishop Thomas John Gumbleton (b. 1930) of the Archdiocese of Detroit openly admitted that many bishops don’t believe that every contraceptive act is intrinsically evil, but aren’t willing to say it publicly. That didn’t please the Vatican. Despite Pope John Paul II definitive stand against the ordination of women, Gumbleton also openly predicted that “priestesses will inevitably come,” and he pointed out that “already, female parochial administrators are proving their competency and laying the groundwork for the ordination of women.” That, too, didn’t please the Vatican. Gumbleton said to his Church: “You say that every contraceptive act is intrinsically evil and that only celibates and only males may be ordained, but I say to you `Let’s take another look at this to see if these assumptions of ours are right.’”
Archbp. Weakland tries to deconstruct
Former Archbishop of Milwaukee, Rembert Weakland, OSB, .in a pastoral letter to his people, addressed the shortage of priests in his archdiocese. His letter reads in part,
If it became evident that no resident priest would be available for a parish, and that there was no prospect of getting one in the near future, I would be willing to help the community surface a qualified candidate for ordination to the priesthood – even if a married man - and without raising false expectations or unfounded hope for him or the community, present such a candidate to the Pastor of the Universal Church [the Pope] for light and guidance. (P. 340 in A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church)
The Vatican’s response to Weakland’s attempt was unambiguous. When the Archbishop went to Rome in 1993 for his obligatory ad limina visit to the Pope, a letter was hand-delivered to him from Cardinal Bernadine Gantin, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. The letter made it clear to Weakland that,
Among the requirements of Catholic unity there is the need [for you Rembert Weakland] to accept the tradition of the Church. According to ecclesial practice, reinforced by a Synod of Bishops, it is not [italics ours] possible to present married men for ordination to the priesthood. (!)
Then the letter took aim at Weakland’s `unspeakable’ attempt to deconstruct concerning the ordination of women. The letter continued:
The question of the ordination of women, your position is perceived to be in opposition to the teaching of the Church. Moreover, the charge of ‘intransigency’ – a word used by your Excellency – on the part of the Church in this matter, can seriously damage Church authority and Church government. (P. 340 in A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church)
Weakland was asking his Church to dispense from the discipline that ordains only celibates, and to rethink her `dogma’ that only men may be ordained. He was saying to his Church, “You say that only celibates and only males may be ordained, but I say to you, `Let’s take another look at this to see if these assumptions of ours are right.’”
Conclusion
A great cloud of witnesses
An appeal to “ecclesial practice, reinforced by a Synod of Bishops,” or an appeal to “a long unbroken and sacred tradition” of ordaining only celibates or only men , is, at the end of the day, an appeal “to do things the way we’ve always done them.” Or it’s an appeal “not to rock the boat.” We remind ourselves that we had “a long unbroken and sacred tradition” of slavery in this country, and we are grateful that that’s been broken. We remind ourselves also that we had “a long unbroken and sacred tradition” of men only in the US Congress, and we are grateful today that that, too, has been broken. We are grateful for “a great cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1), like Untener, Hunthausen, Gumbleton, Weakland and many others in high and low places, who courageously rock the boat of Peter, as they invite the Church they love to take another look to see whether her assumptions are right.
