4.2 Response
STAGE 4: Towards the Likeness of Jesus Christ
JESUS AND HIS WORD
THE CAPTIVATING WISDOM
RESPONSE
Aim: To contemplate on and respond to the challenging Word of Jesus.
Reading
I have come to fulfil (Mt 5:1-2.17-20): When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and began to teach them saying: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”.
Comment
The Word of Jesus may be uttered “with gentleness”, but nevertheless it challenges the normal living standard of today’s men and women. As the letter to the Hebrews says, “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before God no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account” (Heb 4:12-13).
St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, in LEW, dedicates the whole chapter twelve to recall the principal “utterances” of Incarnate Wisdom. He compounds in them the essence of the gospel in such a way that one cannot read those words without feeling deeply challenged and called to conversion. In this regard, it is advisable to take time to slowly and meditatively read through LEW 133-153. Montfort’s list is made of 62 “utterances”. Here we report only the first 21, using an inclusive language.
“Those who wish to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me” (Lk 9:23).
“Those who love me will keep my commandments, and my Father will love them and we will come to them” (Jn 14:23).
“If you present your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother/sister has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and go make peace with your brother/sister” (Mt 23:24).
“If those who come to me do not hate their father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters and even their own life, they cannot be my disciples” (Lk 14:26).
”Those who have left their house, or brothers or sisters, or children, or inheritance, out of love for me, will receive a hundredfold reward and will possess eternal life” (Mt 19:29).
“If you wish to be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mt 19:21).
“Not everyone who cries out to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who obey the will of my heavenly Father will enter there” (Mt 7:21).
“Whoever hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who builds upon solid rock” (Mt 7:24).
“I tell you solemnly, if you do not change and become as children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29).
“When you pray, beware of acting like those hypocrites who love to stand and pray in their synagogues so that people may notice them” (Mt 6:5).
“Of what use is it when you pray heaping up many words, since your heavenly Father knows your needs before you place them before him” (Mt 6:7).
“As you prepare to pray, forgive your neighbours the wrongs they may have committed against you so that your heavenly Father may show mercy to you” (Mk 11:25).
“When you ask God in prayer for anything, believe that you will receive it, and you will indeed receive it” (Mk 11:24).
“When you are fasting, do not imitate those gloomy hypocrites who go about looking worn out to show others they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have already received their reward” (Mt 6:16).
“There will be greater rejoicing in heaven when one sinner is seen to be penitent than when ninety-nine just people show no repentance” (Lk 15:7).
“I have not come to call the just, but to call sinners and draw them to repentance” (Lk 5:32).
“Blessed are they who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10).
“Blessed are you when people hate you and reject you from their company because of the Son of man; rejoice, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Lk 6:22).
“If the world hates you and persecutes you, recall that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because I have chosen you, it will hate you” (Jn 15:18).
“Come to me all you who are afflicted and heavily-burdened and I will refresh you” (Mt 11:28).
Personal Reflection and Sharing
To me, what are the most challenging words of Jesus? How have I responded to them in the past?
After the realizations and personal insights I have received in the course of this process, in what new ways am I called to respond to the Word of the Gospel?
[4-2] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER