Good Powers Wonderfully Hidden
Sermons For Pentecost (Last Third)
Our gospel lesson is part of the Sermon on the Mount. It is important to keep that larger setting in mind for these words are directed to disciples and to those who have allowed Jesus to call them to God. Jesus is mobilizing his community for a high risk enterprise. They are to march into history by a different drum beat. "You have heard it said to those of ancient times ... but I say to you." And what staggering things he said. What anxiety inducing commands. What radical ethical and moral imperatives fell from his lips.