The Seasons: A Poem

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Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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Following vs Living the Commandments

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Matthew 5:17-19*

If you are like me, you have often thought of The Sermon on the Mount as the listing of the Beatitudes and that's about it. This error is easy to fall into since our daily readings are in a sense, taken out of context. In other words, they are broken into bite-size pieces for us to digest each day. This past Monday we learned about those who are blessed - the poor, the mourning, the persecuted, etc. Yesterday we learned about salt and light. Today Jesus tells us that He hasn't come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Tomorrow He will give examples of what He means by the least commandments or little commandments. Too often, we fail to see the big picture because of these daily chunks.

However, if you look at it all together, The Sermon on the Mount is actually 3 Chapters of Matthew, chapter 5 thru 7:

"When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him." Matthew 5:1

"When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him." Matthew 8:1

Everything, all of the teachings in between, are actually The Sermon on the Mount! These teachings are powerful and very challenging in our everyday life. 

Often the scripture writers, under divine influence, wrote in such a way that certain passages should catch our attention; ring a bell. Did a bell ring when you read the two quotes listed above? Let me try again: Up the mountain, commandments, down the mountain, persecution, freedom... Yes, here we are seeing a new Moses. 

Not convinced? Moses, divided the Red Sea. Jesus, walked on the sea. Moses, struck the rock to bring forth water. Jesus, says He is the living water (Paul says the OT rock represents Jesus, see 1 Cor. 10:4). Moses, gave the people manna, bread from Heaven. Jesus says He is the living bread come down from Heaven given for the life of the world...for us to eat and "unless you eat my flesh (new manna)..you have no life." Moses had his staff, Jesus had the cross. It goes on and on, Jesus is the new Moses, the new Law giver. 

This should really come as no surprise. Moses predicted it, "A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; that is the one to whom you shall listen." Deuteronomy 18:15

So why should this matter and how does it relate to today's Gospel? Jesus is setting Himself up as thee authority not an authority. This is why we will soon hear, over and over, "you have heard it said...but I say..." Jesus is the ultimate authority. If this is truly the case, He hasn't come to usurp His own authority that He has had from the beginning, but to fulfill that authority. He hasn't come to do away with the commandments of Moses but to show us the way to live them, not simply follow them. Do you live them or follow them? There is a difference.

In the coming days and weeks Jesus will help us see that simply not killing isn't living the commandments, we must go deeper. He will show us that simply not committing adultery isn't living the commandment. Simply loving your neighbor isn't living the commandments.

Unfortunately, this sermon is broken up and sprinkled throughout the month of June. So, I challenge you to grab your bible and read Matthew chapters 5 through 7 in one sitting to prepare. It should only take 20-30 minutes. Try to find hidden references to Moses and his story. Work to tie them together. It's a great adventure and a great way to start living the commandments and stop simply following them.

*Repost from June 2023 so the references to previous daily readings are not correct.

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