August 30, 2009: 22nd Sunday in OT. B.

The Gift of Torah, of Law, of “Order” to our lives is the subject of the three readings this weekend. We hear Moses telling people that God is giving this Law NOT to condemn them for failing to follow it, but to “safe boundaries,” so that their lives will be happy and fulfilled. The Commandments are not there to “damn us,” but to help us live lives of balance and beauty. This is why Paul says in the second reading that the Law that commands us to care for orphans and widows is a good gift from the Good God, the “Father of Lights”–a truly beautiful description of God. Then, the Gospel points to the fact that different people will place different emphases on what is important. Pharisees had one emphasis, Jesus another, but ALL cared about living in balance and walking in beauty. Let’s all strive for a holy balance in our lives, too, shall we?