Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 5:17–37
Research suggests that women in particular enjoy making lists and find them useful for managing tasks and responsibilities, whether it's planning a trip, a work project, a party, or a grocery run. Are you a planner? Do you love making lists? I find satisfaction in planning carefully, especially for a trip, and in making sure I have everything I need so I'm prepared for any scenario. The last thing I want is to be without that one thing I might need, which usually means I end up with a full bag.
It can be easy to approach our spiritual lives in the same way, with a checklist mentality. I know I have, at times, thought that way and believed that I have my faith life well in hand:
But God is inviting us to something more than just list making. He wants to enter into the parts of our hearts that we may be holding back, knowingly or unknowingly. In this week's gospel, in a sense, He is asking, “How’s your heart?”
We are preparing to begin Lent in a few days—I say this knowing full well that I haven’t yet checked the box for putting away all of the Christmas decor! The good news is that whether we are ready or not, our Church is here to prepare us. So grab your checklist and let's go!
As we enter into Matthew's gospel, we find ourselves in the middle of a long passage, a continuation of sorts of the Sermon on the Mount. Scholars say that Jesus was giving the new law on a mountain, just as Moses gave the old law from Mount Sinai.[1] It must have seemed significant to the disciples that Jesus was sharing such a profound message from the mountain top. As with the Ten Commandments, Jesus’ teaching on this mountain was considered His greatest sermon, ushering in His divine authority and a new way of living.
The law consists of a series of dos and don’ts—like a divine checklist for God's people. I can’t say this part of the gospel is one of my favorites, because it can feel daunting to measure up to so many rules. There are many lofty standards we as Christians are called to follow (forgiving one's enemies and praying for those who persecute you come to mind). I find that some teachings are easy to grasp, while others challenge my understanding. But as I prayed with these verses, something stood out to me.
One of the recurring phrases for us to consider is: "You have heard that it was said ... But I say to you ..." (Matthew 5:21–22,27,28). It seems like Jesus is both affirming and challenging the stated laws, encouraging us to go deeper.
Murder and adultery are pretty straightforward concepts, and it's natural to feel a sense of relief, thinking we're “off the hook.” But then He says,
“But I say to you …” (Matthew 5:22,28).
Our Lord acknowledges that we are called to obey the law, and for some of these requirements, we might feel we are doing pretty well, on the surface. As a rule follower, I find it comforting to check off these boxes and then pat myself on the back. Yet, my box checking and self congratulations keep me from continuing in the passage. Because it's the part after “But I say to you …” that offers us the deeper call.
God’s law was never intended to be just a simple list for us to check off and forget. On the contrary, Jesus and the Church call us to go above and beyond what the law requires—to look beneath the surface and examine the motivations and desires within us. As Bishop Barron so eloquently states, “The Church is not interested in spiritual mediocrity … The ordinary goal of the Christian life is to be a saint.”[2] We are called to a way of living that demands more from us, so much so that we need Christ and the Church to live out this call.
What does your heart reveal to you? Are you simply following the rules? Are you checking boxes or checking your heart? Because healing and wholeness only come when we take the time to examine the state of our hearts—like a spiritual X-ray— asking the Spirit to reveal what only He can. We need His grace and guidance.
How can we move beyond checking boxes?
Moving past this mindset requires faith in Christ and the grace of the sacraments. It is a daily process that involves a “conversion of heart,”[3] turning away from our desires and toward God’s will. I find it challenging to abandon my own wants. I need the constant reminder of daily prayer and Scripture to keep my heart focused on His. Asking myself, “How’s my heart today?” provides a gauge that helps me identify which virtues and graces I might need to seek. I discovered that this heart check is a powerful way to recognize what might be leading me away from God and toward sinful behaviors. Once this is clear, I can ask for the grace to begin practicing the opposite virtue, guiding my heart back toward Him.
We may not be guilty of murder, but how about anger? (Matthew 5:21–22). If we struggle with anger toward another or the circumstances we find ourselves in, pray for the grace of forgiveness and the virtues of love and understanding.
We may not be adulterers (Matthew 5:27), but are we faithfully loving and serving our spouses, prioritizing our marriage above our children and other relationships? Ask God to help you align your priorities with your state in life.
This Lent, let's ask God to take us deeper—past the lists, past mere rule-keeping—down to the root, to our very hearts. Let’s open ourselves to Him, and let Him in to do a heart check.
In His presence, what we discover is:
That is where true transformation begins.
Checking my heart with you,
Karen
Food for thought or journaling …
How’s your heart today? What are you struggling with that you can bring to Him in prayer?
Lord Jesus, as I enter into this Lenten season, help me to come to know You and myself on a deeper level. Reveal to me the places in my heart that need Your healing touch. Bring me to a deeper conversion of heart this Lent. Amen.
P.S. Looking for a Lenten devotional to grow closer to the Lord? Desert Bloom: A Lenten Journey Devotional will gently guide your heart to rivers in the desert.
[1] Peter Kreeft, Food for the Soul: Reflections on the Mass Readings (Cycle A), (Word on Fire, Ridge Park, IL, 2022), 452.
[2] Bishop Barron, “Sermon on the Mount,” Paraclete Prayers (March 6, 2023), YouTube video, 13:35, https://youtu.be/YSYaSp-or9U?si=RQth4NSPMQu5ULk-.
[3] Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Opening Your Heart: The Starting Point (USA: Walking with Purpose, 2019), 275.
