24th Sunday after Pentecost (23rd Sunday in Trinity)

A well-known educationalist once said, we often end up valuing what we can measure rather than attempting to measure what is of real value.  This practice spills over into church life as we strive to quantify spiritual standards by how pious we have been.  This religiosity or legalism was no less prevalent in Jesus’ day.  The sacrificial system was based on performing certain religious practices with a certain quantity of bulls, rams, doves or other elements of sacrifice.  Today, some in the church delight in measuring spiritual worthiness by our ability to keep the rules and follow the laws.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that there is no place for order, spiritual discipline and even religion but I fear we often go too far, because there is something much more important.  The Gospel passage this week is the account of the conversation between Jesus and the inquiring religious law teacher.  Jesus commends the religious teacher for his understanding of love.  Jesus confirms that loving God and loving our neighbour is more important than all the sacrifices (old and new) required in the law.  This is not a licence to do anything; far from it.  Rather it is a life of action and deeds which is borne out of love rather than a sense of failure if we don’t follow all the pre-determined man-made rules.