The reading from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians continues to build on the image of the covenant relationship between God and God’s people. Today he cites a specific image from the covenant into which God and the people entered on Mt. Sinai. Because Moses had been in God’s presence, his face glowed when he came down from the Sinai heights, so much so that the people could not gaze directly at Moses. Paul tells us that the veil that hid Moses’ face from their sight now hides the true meaning of the Law from their minds. The people are unable to understand the heart of the Law because their minds are now veiled by their misconceptions and false perceptions. Paul explains that for those who believe in Jesus, the veil has been lifted from their minds.
Today’s Gospel reading, indeed the Gospel readings for the next few days are an example of getting to the heart of the Law. The evangelist draws parallel lines between the way the people have come to understand the Law and how they should be understanding it through their faith in him as the new Moses, the new Law Giver. “You have heard it said. . ., but I say to you.”
St. Paul was often criticized for the Gospel he preached. There were those within the community who felt that he was “off base” in his teaching that all could be baptized in Jesus without first converting to Judaism. He suffered many attacks, both verbal and physical, in championing the rights and the favors bestowed upon the Gentiles through their faith in Jesus. Paul is not dissuaded in his convictions and find encouragement in his faith and in his suffering for the sake of his faith, once again falling back on the opening sentiments expressed in this letter.
We are urged to find the same sense of encouragement in the Gospel and in being called to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Rather than shrink from our convictions, we are called upon to preach so as to remove the veil that clouds the vision of those who have yet to believe.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator