Dear Parishioners,
What is the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees referred to in the Gospel today? On what is it based upon? The Law. Follow the law to the letter, you’re a good person. You’re pleasing to God. That is good enough.
You know how sometimes people come to Mass and ask me, “Does this fulfill my obligation?” I know and understand what they mean, but just the same I've never liked how it sounded. Mass should never be an obligation. Religion can never based on legalism. It gets toxic after a while.
Toxic faith produces very faithful people, but its expression of faithfulness is distorted: it is legalistic and painfully scrupulous. It naturally results in a sense of self-righteousness.
If your relationship with God is based on law, it’s a no-win game. Because only two things can happen: if you’re not able to follow the law, the result is self-pity. But if you’re able to follow the law, the result is self-righteousness. This leads to being judgmental towards others. (“How can they not follow the law? It’s so easy. I did it!”)
Our relationship with God is based on Grace. A person who lives by this believes that before he does anything good and, despite his sins, God already accepts him, forgives him and loves him. He knows it’s God’s unstoppable love that will ultimately change him.
The result? Humility. Gratitude. Compassion. Kindness.
We are called to journey from law to love based on grace. You are here today at Mass not to fulfill an obligation . . . but because we love God. Nothing more . . . Nothing less.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito