Matthew - I am yours

Discovery #7

Chastened by my pettiness over John the Baptist, and strengthened in the maturing Jesus, I read on. Jesus withdraws to Galilee upon hearing of John's arrest. His one utterance: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' I am OK, I have repented; I am yours, Jesus, take me with you on your journey.

#8
Jesus invites two diciples (Simon Peter and Andrew) to follow him, and immediately they follow. Jesus teaches in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news and curing every disease and sickness among the people. (1:18-25) Great crowds follow him. It feels great.

#9
The beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount reads like unifying slogans at a peace rally. 'The meek and the wretched, be glad! Be the light of the world! Let your light shine before others, so that your good works give glory to your Father in heaven.' My father in heaven. Our father in heaven. We, who are powerless to make good this life, are being named as Jesus' family. God is your Father - even as your own biological father disdains you for who you are. Be glad! Alleluiah!

#10
But Jesus tells us that he has not come to turn the worldorder upside down (5:17-48) - 'I have come not to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill. His purpose is to see all of the law accomplished. And for that, we, the marginal, humble, meek, unfulfilled, must shine our righteouness upon the world for all to see. We can't however just be who we are, we have to repent and be ever more righteous than those whose business it is to be right and good. First, be reconciled with yourselves, and treat one another right - i.e., do not treat one another as the not-so-humble treat you. Be an example of how to treat the meek and humble well.

#11
Be careful not to be self-righteous; don't practice your goodness and piety in public view so that others will be impressed. Do them in secret, for the sake of the Father; let your lights shine for the Father; and be glad in yourselves. Pray humbly and meekly; do good humbly and meekly; and be glad in your hearts.

#12
ubi caritas ubi amor est The treasures you receive for your goodness, righteousness, kindness, meekness, humility... are in heaven; don't chase after material things that can only become old and worthless. But we need food and clothing and a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in. If we don't mind about these things, we will be left out on the streets! Won't we? Jesus says: trust in God; you cannot be anxious about your life's material upkeep and be transformed by faith. God or (material) life. The former will help you overcome sin (the sting / fear of death), the latter will only disappoint and frustrate. Be like the birds, the lilies, the grass. Do not worry, for God cares for you. I feel a bit like a small child who worries about her father's demotion or loss of income, and am told, don't worry (you can't help by worrying); leave it to us, your parents. You have your own things to take care of - grow and learn.

#13
And learn, we shall: do not judge; concern yourself with your own faults, not those of others; safeguard your treasures; ask for what you need, knock on doors that seem closed to you; do unto others as you would have them do to you; take the straight and narrow; beware of false prophets in sheep's clothing; know a good tree from its fruits; you must do all these things - for not all of you will enter the kingdom of heaven, just because you called upon the Lord for guidance and help. I feel further chastened - my work is cut out for me. I have a long way to go.