New days, New rules?

New days, new rules?

A far-fetched idea is that because humanity has evolved from hand labor to the industrialized revolution, adhering to new ways of performing everything we do should change as well.  

From governing laws of society to the hours we work must change accordingly.  However, the most astute rule of human behavior is that people have their own opinions of following what should be from their own perspective.  That too must use discretionary measures.    

When Jesus came upon the scene of human behavior he noticed right away how many people stuck close to the theories of the past, usually following the teachings of the elders.

“Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is unwashed, hands.  (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.  And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves.  And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds).  So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the traditions of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”   He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written.”  “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;  In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”  (Mk 7: 1 - 7).

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.  I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.  Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.  Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.  But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  (Mt 5: 17 - 20).

We are not at a controversial discussion but an example of how simple it becomes to cling to a tradition without the willingness to modify improvement without discarding the basic reality of the past.   Not eating meat on Friday was a solid requirement of the Church, as a way of understanding some method of fasting.  When it changed we found that some were upset while others accepted the manner we use now to find other means of fasting.  We kept the essence of fasting while removing the particular requirement for a more acceptable way of adherence.

Perhaps one of the examples of change for the betterment of Christian growth is found with St. Peter’s acceptance of Gentiles joining the followers of Christ, even though they were believed to be an enemy of Christ.  “The next day, while they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up to the roof terrace to pray at about noon time.  He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners.  In it were all the earth’s four-legged animals and reptiles and birds of the sky.  A voice said to him, “Get up Peter.  Slaughter and eat.”  But Peter said, “Certainly not, sir.  For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.”  The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.”  This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky.  

The baptism of Cornelius and his family was a giant leap of faith for Peter and another sign of maintaining the rules of faith while changing those who were eligible for this Sacrament of Baptism for all who desired it.   “While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit  fell upon all who were listening to the word.  The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues  and glorifying God.  Then Peret responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?”  He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  (Acts 10: 44 - 48).

A new day, yes!  New rules, ok but with discretion without changing the basic essence of our faith.  

Ralph B. Hathaway