But I say to you...

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:38-42) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ calls his listeners to a higher perfection than the requirements of the Mosaic Law or even of “common sense”.

In doing so, our Lord uses a formula he repeats a number of times in the Sermon on the Mount: “You have heard it was said... but I say to you... ”

In this expression, our Lord asserts his authority as the Son of God and God’s most perfect revealer: a more perfect lawgiver even than Moses, a fuller wisdom than even common sense.

Some people do not accept this authority: non-Christian Jews prefer the ancient authority of Moses, many others prefer the slippery authority of human intellect alone or the capricious leadership of fleshy impulse.

We however accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the power of his revelation, for he is the one who has come down from heaven and who sits at the right hand of the Father. While human intellect and ancient prophets have their place, only God himself has the power to traverse the gap of infinity and touch our human minds with the truths of eternity.

May we always accept the authority of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, true God and true man, the ever-shining light.