The people addressed in the Book of Wisdom have a clear sense of God’s justice. Surprisingly, perhaps, this sense is not predominantly about punishment, but about clemency: your might is the source of justice, the author writes, your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. God is ready to forgive those who disbelieve God’s power or who exhibit temerity, because God desires that we should be one with him and trust in his power in our lives. And if we are one with him, then we too must learn that those who are just must be kind, just as the Lord is, in Psalm 86: Lord, you are good and forgiving.
Matthew’s Gospel might, at first glance, seem harsh on this count: Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, we are told, so will it be at the end of the age. There will be wailing and grinding of teeth. These lines are a late addition, however, and to focus on them would belie Jesus’ message to the disciples in the three parables he shares with them. In each case – the parable of the weeds sown among wheat, the parable of the tiny mustard seed that grows in to a large bush, and the parable of the yeast – Jesus is clearly saying that the kingdom of heaven is greater than anything we can imagine, and those who dwell in it are not up to us to select. Notice that even the weeds are useful to the man who sowed them, as he uses them for fuel; God desires to save everything for his purpose! A mustard seed may not look like it can produce much, but be patient and the result will be much greater than the seed promises, just as even a small amount of yeast can leaven an enormous amount of flour. In each case, Jesus recognizes that God has invested so very much in creating us and God wants very much for each of us to fulfill our purpose – even if it requires being patient and waiting just a little. In the end, God’s forgiveness will gather in more sinners than we could ever imagine!
Leniency and mercy and forgiveness themselves have a purpose, that we might know depth of God’s love for us and then respond more profoundly to that depth. God has gone to extraordinary efforts to help us see this, and, in case we have difficulty, Paul tells the Romans, God sends the Spirit, who comes to the aid of our weakness, particularly in the context of prayer, interceding for us with inexpressible groanings when God searches our heart, ensuring our connection to God, who incessantly seeks ways to show us his mercy and forgiveness, that we might go forth and do the same for our world.
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
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