1803074. Hukum Tuhan tetap konstan, tidak berubah, dan tidak akan berubah. Love God's Law and fulfil His Commandments to the full. CHANGING LAWS ?.

* Hukum Tuhan tetap konstan, tidak berubah, dan tidak akan berubah.

* Love God's Law and fulfil His Commandments to the full.

* CHANGING LAWS ?

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MESKI dunia telah berubah, hukum Tuhan tetap konstan.

HukumNya tidak berubah, dan tidak akan berubah.

*Thomas S. Monson*

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Wednesday, 7th MARCH.

Love God's Law and fulfil His Commandments to the full.

Sts Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs.

Matthew 5:17-19

"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

How easy it is to water down the Gospel and make it a bit less demanding! How easy it would be to get disciples if you only taught the nice bits of the Gospel and took out any reference to the Cross or the demands of becoming a real disciple of Jesus! But the Gospel is the Word of God: the whole Gospel, and no one has the right to change so much as one letter of it.

An African bishop returned to his home town – which was mostly non-Christian – soon after ordination. In the welcome speech, the people expressed how happy they were that one of them now had 'direct access' to God. Then they promised him they would all embrace Christianity if he would use his episcopal power to suppress one of the Ten Commandments for them. Before they could say which of the Commandments they had in mind, the young bishop shocked them by explaining that the Commandments are from God and, therefore, unchangeable. The celebratory mood turned into disappointment and the bishop had to make a hasty departure from his own people.

People may ask for a reduction of their moral responsibilities as they ask for a reduction of taxes. It would be like someone who wants to change doctor because the physician has put him on a diet. He could think that tablets would certainly be easier to take... Taking medicine can be less demanding than following a diet, but tablets aren't what that patient needs.

Imagine that a government wanted to change the law of gravity for its country because the one 'still in use' is old fashioned or doesn't take into account our 'national identity'. Well, he can try, but he definitely cannot change the Law of God. 

Mary, Mother of Justice, help me to love God's Law and fulfil His Commandments to the full.

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07 MARCH, 2018, Wednesday, 3rd Week of Lent

CHANGING LAWS?

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Dt 4:1,5-9; Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20; Mt 5:17-19 ]

In a world of relativism, no laws are absolute.  They change with the times, according to the situation and the preferences of the people.  What is declared an offence could be sanctioned as sacred the next generation!   Laws are therefore mutable.  They are simply human enactments of regulations to govern harmony among the peoples.  They could be changed when they are no longer useful.  This might be so for human laws such as civil laws.

The real question is, are moral laws also changeable?   The main problem of relativism is moral relativism.  This is the crux of the issue between the secularists and the moralists.  

For those who believe in God, the moral laws are universal principles for life, applicable at all times and for all generations.  These cannot be changed according to situations but humanity remains constant.  Moral laws are founded on natural laws which are consistent. When time immemorial moral laws are altered to satisfy man's indulgences, the implications could be disastrous.  What is right becomes wrong and what is wrong becomes right.  So much so, we cannot speak of morality today.

This is what Moses meant when he also laid down the immutability of the laws. "You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you."  (Dt 4:2)  Does it mean then, that all laws cannot be changed?  Not at all!  It all depends on what kind of laws we are dealing with.  If these are civil laws, customs and rituals, these can be changed according to situations and circumstances.  Such laws are contextualized in a specific situation. With the changing situation, such laws must adapt to the lifestyle of the people.  For example, in the world of globalization and mass migration, we are no longer speaking of inculturation but trans-culturation.  That is to say, we are not speaking of giving a local expression to some alien expressions of faith or customs, but we are referring to an assimilation of cultures.   What cannot be changed are moral laws because these are universal laws of nature.

It is within this context of giving life that we are called to approach the laws given to us by God.   Moses told the people.  "And now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. See, as the Lord my God has commanded me, I teach you the laws and customs that you are to observe in the land you are to enter and make your own."  The laws and customs given by God were to help the Israelites to live their lives wisely and in unity as they entered the Promised Land.  Otherwise, they would be influenced by the negative lifestyle of the pagan cultures.

Indeed, the laws must be seen ion relationship to a loving God who cares for His people.  This explains why after speaking about the laws given to help them to enter into life, Moses immediately added, "But take care what you do and be on your guard. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life; rather, tell them to your children and your children's children."  In other words, the laws cannot be regarded purely as some abstract laws imposed on the people.  The laws are the expression of God's love for the people whom He saved from Egypt.  Moses said, "Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, 'No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.' And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today?"

The laws are the wisdom of a loving God given to His people so that they can walk in truth and love.  They were the means by which God protected the city. "He has strengthened the bars of your gates he has blessed the children within you." This is how the psalmist praises God, "He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command.  He showers down snow white as wool, he scatters hoar-frost like ashes. He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees.  He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees."

To observe the laws, they must remember what the Lord had done for them.   Unless they have seen God's act of saving them from the bondage of the Egyptians and saw His mighty works, it would be difficult to observe the laws.  We only obey those whom we love and trust.  Just like how an expectant mother will obey the laws given by the doctor with regard to her diet and care of her health, so we will obey only those whom we love and trust. 

 St John wrote, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.  For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,  for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith."  (1 Jn 5:2-4)

Indeed, the laws must not be seen negatively.  They are not meant to take away our freedom but to give us true freedom.  Because we are weak and unenlightened, the Lord has given us the laws which is His wisdom to guide us in living fully.  As St Paul wrote, "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.  This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane … and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."  (1 Tim 1:8-11)

However, unless the laws are applied correctly, they become a burden to the people.  That was the case of the Jews when the Jewish leaders kept on multiplying the laws.  As a consequence, observing the laws became such a burden to the people.  This explains why Jesus broke many of the customs of His day, simply because the application was wrong.  This is what the Lord said, "Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved."

Jesus came to perfect the law by giving us the spirit of the laws.  Having the right spirit in observing the laws is important.   This spirit that perfects the laws is the spirit of love.  All laws must be observed for the love of God and for our fellowmen.  

St Paul wrote, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, Love your neighbor as yourself.  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."  (Rom 13:8-10) 

Such laws are universal compared to customs and rituals and ceremonial laws.   Besides the Ten Commandments, we have the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount and the New Commandment given by the Lord. (cg Mt 5-7; Jn 13:34)  All these are not so much specific laws but they are universal principles by which specific laws are drawn out for application.

All laws must be at the service of authentic love and at the service of truth.  This is how we must measure the wisdom of the laws that are enacted in our communities.  We must ask whether the laws that are enshrined in our country, organizations and institutions are life-giving and meant for the service of love and truth.  When laws marginalize the weak and the minority, when they do not respect the freedom of their informed conscience, they will weaken the people.

Indeed, many of the laws that are enacted are not truly, but only apparently, life-giving. For example, abortion, same-sex union and euthanasia.  They are enacted in the name of love but it is for the love of self, not the weak and not for the greater good of society.  It is ironical that we approve the immorality of people's lifestyles promoted in the entertainment world, such as sexual promiscuity, cohabitation, adultery, pornography, violence, cheating and killing as if it is the norm of society.  The truth is that when we plant such lustful thoughts into the minds of people, especially the young, these thoughts will be conceived in action.  So on one hand, we are hard and harsh in punishing molesters, pedophiles and offenders, but we enact laws that sow the seeds of lust and greed and violence.  How can we place the temptation before them, and when they fall into temptation, we accuse them of wrong doing?  Those who tempt others to sin are no less guilty than those who are guilty of sin!  This is the warning of our Lord. "Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven."

Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved

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SabdaNya.

 Rabu  07 - 03 -18.

Ul 4 :1, 5-9 

Mat 5 : 17-19

Shalom,
Sebelum bani Israel masuk kedalam tanah terjanji, nabi Musa menyampaikan kepada mereka Firman Tuhan yg mengatur tata kehidupan dan mengarahkan cara berpikir serta sikap hati mereka : "maka sekarang, hai orang Israel, dengarlah ketetapan dan peraturan yg kuajarkan kepadamu untuk dilakukan, supaya kamu hidup dan memasuki serta menduduki negeri yg diberikan kepadamu oleh Tuhan, Allah nenek moyangmu" (Ul4 :1)

Peraturan2 itu harus dilakukan dan bukan dibiarkan sebagai suatu pengetahuan saja sehingga mereka bukan hanya mengetahui tetapi dapat mengalami sendiri kebenaran2 yg ada didalamnya.

Peraturan2 itu bukan berasal dari dirinya tetapi dari Allah (meskipun kemudian Firman2 ini dikenal sebagai Taurat nabi Musa), sehingga tidak mungkin salah.
Peraturan2 ini kalau dilaksanakan akan mendekatkan manusia dg PenciptaNya dan sebagai sumber kebahagiaannya.

Kadang kita terpikir bahwa peraturan2 yg berlaku, menjadi beban yg mengekang kebebasan kita, sehingga membuat kita membencinya. Akan tetapi marilah kita menyadari bahwa dalam kehidupan bersama, adanya peraturan adalah hal yg mutlak sangat duiperlukan. Seperti di jalan2 raya, kalau tidak ada peraturan yg harus ditaati semua orang, pasti akan sering terjadi benturan2 yg mencelakakan, disamping orang juga dg mudah dapat tersesat.
Dg demikian sesungguhnya hukum2 yg disampaikan Allah, adalah suatu anugerah besar yg perlu disyukuri dan bukan beban yg harus kita tanggung untuk memuliakan NamaNya.

Dalam banyak kesempatan, Kristus terlihat seperti mengabaikan hukum Taurat sehingga memancing perdebatan dg para ahli Taurat. Yg paling sering terjadi adalah ketika Dia berulang kali melakukan penyembuhan dihari Sabat dimana menurut hukum Taurat hal itu termasuk yg tidak boleh dikerjakan. Tetapi dg tegas Kristus mengatakan : 'Janganlah kamu menyangka bahwa Aku datang untuk meniadakan hukum Taurat atau kitab para nabi. Aku datang bukan untuk meniadakannya, melainkan untuk menggenapinya'.

Pengertian 'menggenapi' dalam hal ini adalah Kristus lah yg memenuhi semua yg telah dinubuatkan dalam hk Taurat dan kitab para nabi tentang Mesias serta mengajarkan langkah selanjutnya untuk menyempurnakan nya.
Hukum Taurat didasarkan atas keadilan : 'bangsa besar manakah yg mempunyai ketetapan dan peraturan demikian adil seperti seluruh hukum ini' (Ul4:8).

Tetapi Kristus ingin kita bukan hanya bersikap adil, melainkan melakukan perbuatan2 kasih.
Didalam keadilan kita akan menghormati hak2 orang lain, melakukan apa yg menjadi kewajiban2 kita, tetapi kita juga menuntut orang lain menghormati apa yg menjadi hak kita.

Didalam kasih, kita menghormati hak2 orang lain, melakukan apa yg 'melebihi' kewajiban kita yg sebenarnya demi untuk kebaikan orang lain dan rela memaafkan serta mau memaklumi orang yg melanggar hak2 kita.

Tidak ada orang yg dapat menjadi pelaku kasih yg sejati kalau dia belum dapat menjadi orang yg konsekwen dan konsisten melakukan keadilan. 

Kita tidak akan dapat merelakan apa yg menjadi hak kita untuk kepentingan orang lain, kalau hak orang lain saja masih kita abaikan untuk kepentingan diri kita sendiri.

Dg demikian, kasih bukan menghapus keadilan tetapi merupakan penyempurnaan / penggenapan dari keadilan.
Ketika kita melakukan apa yg menjadi kewajiban demi terciptanya keadilan, mungkin kita melakukannya dg hati yg terbeban dan ada keterpaksan. Akan tetapi didalam kasih, kita dapat melakukan segalanya dg hati yg rela dan gembira. Karena itu, kasih yg diajarkan Kristus sesungguhnya juga adalah kunci untuk memperoleh kebahagiaan hidup.

Kepada bani Israel, Musa berpesan agar segala Firman Tuhan yg telah dianugerahkan kepada mereka, wajib mereka sampaikan kepada keturunan2 mereka dan merekapun perlu bersaksi bagaimana adilnya hukum itu bekerja ditengah kehidupan bermasyarakat.
(Ul 4 : 9)
Kristus meminta kita mengajarkan kasih yg telah diajarkan dan diberi contoh nyata oleh DiriNya, agar semua orang, dapat mengalami kebahagiaan sejati dan menjadi pembawa kebahagiaan bagi semua orang lain, sehingga dg demikian kebahagiaan kitapun semakin disempurnakan.
Semoga kita semua mau dg taat dan setia menjadi pelaku dan pembawa kasih Tuhan. 

Gbu alln hv a blessed Wednesday.

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