It is commonly believed that this Gospel was written sometime in the 80’s, after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. For Jewish Christians like Matthew, that cataclysmic historical event inaugurated a distressing time of major changes. With institutions that had ordered their common life in disarray, early followers of Jesus wondered how they were to live now? Matthew suggests that anyone who has “been instructed in the kingdom of heaven” needs to hold on to what in their former traditions is of value as they move into a new ways of understanding, of behaving.
We too are living in such a time of transition. Matthew’s advice seems sound but leaves me wondering: What of the old do I bring forward? What of the new do I embrace? I don’t think there are quick or easy answers to those questions. Perhaps, like Solomon in today’s first reading, a good place to start would be praying for an “understanding heart.” And perhaps I could ask myself what are the values handed down to me, that I believe are necessary. Honesty? Integrity? Compassion? Kindness? How might those values be made manifest in the situations I find myself in today? The situations we find ourselves in today?
During this trying time, I am trying to trust in a Power greater than myself, live by the teaching of Jesus, and hope in the power of the Spirit. May we be guided into a new way of living together. I do not assume that transition will be easy - I pray we will be willing to follow.