The Nature of God’s Commandments

 

The God’s Commandments are good and perfect gift.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, September 1st, 2024
Texts: Deut. 4:1-2.6-8; Psalm 15:2-5; James 1:17-18.21-22,27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 

There is a mention of the commandments of God in today’s readings. The readings reveal the nature of God’s commandments. Jesus Christ reminds us in the gospel reading that God’s commandments are not the tradition of men, they are not about table etiquette. God’s commandments are not from human wisdom or initiative; they are not about social etiquette. God’s word is also different from constitution or civil law. All these are from human wisdom or initiative.  

God’s commandments are purely from God; they are a gift of God. Hence, in today’s second reading, St. James says, “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights”. Being God’s gift it is a good endowment and perfect gift. 

The God’s Commandments are good and perfect gift

Being good and perfect, we demean it by adding to it or taking away from it. God’s commandments need no human wisdom or initiative to perfect it. We are not to bend the word of God to sooth us or in deference to anyone. Such makes them cease from being God’s commandments. Moses says, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the  Lord your God which I command you.”  

It is a good endowment because it does us good. It is a perfect gift because it is just what we need and which is in accord with our nature. In the first reading, Moses says, “Now, O Israel, give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the  Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you.” We fulfil our destiny by heeding and doing God’s commandments.  

The promised land for us is heaven. God promised us all heavenly Kingdom. Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this earth” (John 18:36). Our Kingdom is not of this world. We take possession of our kingdom by heeding and doing the commandments of God.  

Heeding and doing God’s commandments

Heeding and doing God’s commandments does not only lead to heavenly Kingdom, it also gives wisdom, understanding and fame. Moses says, “Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'” It is by heeding and doing God’s commandments that we are wise and understanding in Christ and gain glory.  

The righteous nature of God’s commandments is a revelation of His closeness to us. Moses puts it thus: “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the  Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day?” 

God’s commandments are righteous

The righteousness of God’s commandments manifests in works of charity when we heed and do them. In the words of St. James: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” It also manifests in purity of heart and heal us of sins. Jesus mentions sins such as evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 

The message today is that God’s commandments are good and perfect, pure and devoid of human wisdom or initiative. When we heed and do the commandments, they become our glory, guide, direction, identity and ways of life. They are our guide and direction to heavenly kingdom. 

Prayer 

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke