February 15, 2020

Covenant of the Heart

Christine and John Valters Paintner | Read Psalm 119:1-8 , Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20

(Image: Pixabay)

In this passage from Deuteronomy, God makes clear that life and death, blessing and curse, are set before us. Our task in this world is to choose life again and again. The heart of discernment is to recognize that life presents a call to make choices each moment and to follow the life-giving way. This way may be the most challenging work any of us can face. Life is full of ambiguities and ambivalences.

Sometimes we choose what appears to be life but which ultimately is destructive to those involved. Our world has become more complex. Choices even about what we eat each day are connected to a web of issues like pesticides, labor practices, cost to the environment.

The psalmist invites us to walk in the law of God. Walking evokes a sense of embodiment. We don’t merely think about the law of God or apply its principles in the abstract. I am reminded of a line from Antonio Machado’s poem where he suggests that we make the way by walking.* We follow this path step by step, not as a predetermined way but as a call to listen to our life and how it unfolds toward goodness. We allow every tendon and sinew to respond to God’s invitation to love, and we trust that we must continue to walk in that direction.

When we look for rules to follow rather than act from love in all choices, we fall into a legalism that ultimately makes our world smaller. We are invited into the expansive messiness of life that demands discernment and listening and the risk we may be wrong.

*“Proverbios y cantares XXIX” in Campos de Castilla

Giver of Life, help me to choose love each moment of the day. Bless my footsteps so that generations to come may know the grace of life over death. Amen.

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read Matthew 5:21-37

Matthew 5:21-37

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell. ²³ Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift. ²⁵ Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶ I say to you in all seriousness that you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last penny. ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery. ²⁸ But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. ²⁹ And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell. ³¹ “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.’ ³² But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. ³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord. ³⁴ But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne. ³⁵ You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. ³⁶ And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

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Lectionary Week

February 10–16, 2020

Scripture Overview

This week we continue to explore the importance of Christian morality. We do not earn God’s grace by our actions; rather, our obedience is a response to God’s grace. In Deuteronomy, we read that the choice of life will bring prosperity and is the proper response from a heart of gratitude. The psalmist echoes this sentiment, for blessed are those who follow the Lord not just with words but also with actions. The Corinthians have not understood this so they continue to act like those in the world around them, living by the flesh instead of by the Spirit. Jesus pushes us even further. God sees not only what we do on the outside but who we are on the inside. A true life of obedience begins on the inside and flows outward.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20. When have you experienced the choice God sets before us of life or death, prosperity or adversity, blessings or curses? How have you discerned how to obey God?
Read Psalm 119:1-8. How does following God’s commandments bring you joy?
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. Consider the forms of love Paul and Saint Valentine display in their letters. What types of love help you serve God, who gives growth?
Read Matthew 5:21-37. When have you experienced legalistic interpretations of scripture? How do you get to the heart of scripture?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Covenant of the Heart

The Wisdom of the Body

Find Related Resources

Covenant of the Heart

Psalm 119:1-8

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Matthew 5:21-37

The Wisdom of the Body

Find Related Resources

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