It’s almost an archaic term, isn’t it? Who thinks much about being “Righteous” today? We try to be “Good enough” for the boss, and a satisfactory lover/spouse or grandparent. Performers all, we gear ourselves to the applause and care little about what may happen off-camera. In Biblical terms, “righteousness” meant being square with God. In current jargon, “righteousness” means merely being square.
Isaiah the Prophet lays it squarely on the line: “Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sin(s).” (58:1) Then comes God’s contention with those who claim Godliness yet practice it not: attending to your own interests on fast days, and oppressing your workers; quarreling and fighting; abuse and intimidation. “Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high.” But “is not THIS the fast that I choose?….to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free…to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house…?” “THEN shall your light rise in the darkness, and your gloom be like the noonday.” Now THAT’s a sermon!
St. Paul almost buries Holy Living under a wordy discourse to the Corinthian churches. (Ist, 2:1-16) I think what he’s getting at is that Righteousness/Being Square with God isn’t something that we do, but something we receive. Having been warmed by the Spirit of Christ, it becomes our desire to express justice and compassion to God’s Creation. “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.” (v.12)
The Gospel lesson continues our brief foray into the Sermon on the Mount, remembered by Matthew in the Fifth Chapter, vv.13-20. “You”, Jesus said, “are the salt of the earth…the light of the world.” Now go and season our understanding of God, go shine so that others can get their bearings! Adhere to God’s expectations, he says, “for I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Scribes and Pharisees were nice enough folks, but they thought they were Doing Enough by fasting in sackcloth, dust and ashes. Yet the Holy Word puts more emphasis on demonstrating the new reality which God coaxes out of those touched by the Spirit. In “My Fair Lady”, Eliza sings to Freddy, “If you’re in love, then show me!” In this Season of Signs, the Believer is obviously changed, having been to the Manger.
God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King
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