WYD 2006 – Diocesan Day
Reflection on the Theme
our word is a lamp to my feet, A light on my path Psalm 119: 105 |
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Psalm 119 is totally committed to the praise of the Divine Law (the Torah). As with a piece of music, its 176 verses comprise many variations of the same theme. The following explanation is given regarding the spirit of this Psalm:
«The eight verses of each stanza begin with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and each one contains, with the exception of only one - verse 122, one of the terms which designates the Law: statutes, precepts, observe, commandments, word, judgment, and way. The word «law» and its synonyms are taken to mean the most important teachings that were ever revealed, and that were transmitted through the prophets. In this Psalm we have a masterpiece which is most characteristic of Israel’s devoutness towards Divine Revelation.»
When we go through the whole Psalm, we can easily see that the Israelites understood the totality of life as constant dialogue with the Lord whose will for them was expressed through the Law. Thus, the Law shed light on every event in life, whether happy or sad. The Law sanctified each life situation and each life situation was an occasion to praise God.
In the Jewish tradition, the Torah as God’s revelation and the revelation of His Will for humanity (plan for salvation) takes two forms. God reveals Himself through the events of human history. In telling of His marvelous deeds from generation to generation (Haggadah); one learns to listen to God who speaks through past events and one also learns how to better discern events of the present time. God also reveals His Will through the precepts and commandments (Halakhah). These laws are given so that the Israelites could walk humbly with their God. For this reason, we compare the Torah to a yoke, a piece of wood which is placed on the neck of a beast of burden. The Torah, with its twofold historical and judicial dimensions, allows the believer to walk in union with God.
The Path of Life
The verse of the Psalm which is being used as the theme for World Youth Day combines two symbols: that of a path, a reminder of our human journey and that of light, designating the Torah or Divine Law. People of the Bible understand life as a journey where, enlightened and guided by the Word of God, they move forward in faith along God’s paths. Abraham’s pilgrimage and the journey of the Hebrew people in the desert appear to be typical of the existence of those who are believers. The first verses of Psalm 119 express this concept of a life in faith very well:
Ah, how happy are those of blameless life
who walk in the Law of Yahweh!
How happy those who respect his decrees,
and seek him with their whole heart,
and, doing no evil,
walk in his ways!
The verse which serves as the theme for World Youth Day this year helps us to see that the Word of God is the Light which guides the footsteps of the faithful and brings reassurance to them as they journey along the paths of life. The verse has two parallel sections which complement each other.
In the first phrase, the Word of God is compared to a lamp. It is a lamp fashioned by the hands of a potter and is always kept lit so as to illuminate the house, and is taken care of especially during the night. It is also hung on the walls of the Temple each night during the Feast of Tents. On its own, the lamp cannot shine; it needs oil to keep the wick burning. The lamp of the Word can only fulfill its purpose when the believer offers to God the oil of his/her life so that he/she may be enlightened. Then the believer can carry the Lamp of the Law wherever he/she may go. By integrating God’s precepts, they can move forward on the path of life without fear of stumbling over obstacles. This image of the lamp is repeated by Jesus in Matthew 5: 14 -16.
In the second phrase, the Word of God is compared to a light on the path. The Hebrew word ‘ôr means full daylight, as in the light of the sun. Just as the sun shines for everyone and everywhere, so it is that the Law which comes from God enlightens each person and illuminates their path through all life’s situations. While the lamp is reminiscent of an object made by human hands and perhaps reflects human tradition within the Law, the light of day presents the Law as a gift of God.
Following Jesus
We again come to the double symbol of the path and of light to define the type of relationship between the disciple and Jesus: The disciple is called to follow Jesus who presents himself as the Light of the World: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life (John 8:12).
The reality of the Law is not separate from the teachings of Jesus, and it is not necessary to dwell at length on the statement that Jesus came to complete the law and not to abolish it (Matthew 5: 17). Jesus moved about in a religious and social milieu which was focused on practicing the Law. His criticism was directed towards an interpretation of the Law made by the Scribes and Doctors of the Law which was sometimes overwhelming. Jesus would not reject the Law as a mediator of God’s revelation to his people, but would add to it Prophets and Psalms which bore witness to a living tradition: the prophets made the requirements of the Law more concrete and the Psalms were a prayerful expression of them.
To the scribe who asked him which was the first of all the commandments (Mark12: 28-31; Luke 10: 25-28), Jesus answered with the twofold commandment to love God and neighbor: You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) and You must love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 18:19). In Matthew (22: 34-40), Jesus makes clear that on these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.
At the Last Supper, on the eve of his death, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment: Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples (John 13: 34-35). By incorporating this commandment into their hearts and spirits and by practicing it, the disciples would remember Jesus who freely gave his life in an ultimate act of love for the Father and for all of humanity.
To follow the Risen Jesus is to practice this twofold commandment to love. The very love of Jesus is the light which guides our steps and illumines our path. This is the new Law which must be written within the very depths of our hearts, and which educates and forms us for life. We celebrate this new Law in each Eucharist which is the sacrament of Jesus’ life which was given up through love. When we receive the Body of Christ, we commit ourselves to remember his love through our daily actions, in our work and in our relationships with others.
Jesus did not hide the fact that the path along which he invites us to follow him will be challenging. He even asks us to think about it before making a commitment. But who can pretend that life is not a challenging adventure? The Son of God, in assuming our human condition, had to learn this and is able to guide us as we, in our turn, learn. What he wants to teach us about is the gift of oneself, generosity in loving, and of putting ourselves aside to serve others in memory of him. These are the rays of his light which shine upon and brighten our path of life.
Abbe Yves Guillemette
Centre biblique.
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L'Église
accueille et accompage
les jeunes, les
familles, les malades,
les personnes souffrant
d'un handicap, les
personnes en deuil, les
personnes démunies, les
recommençants, les
personnes en milieu carcéral, les
forces de l'ordre et de sécurité et les
nouveaux croyants.
l'Église transmet son héritage aux
enfants, aux ados, aux
jeunes adultes et aux adultes.
L'Église célebre les moments de la vie : le baptême,
la confirmation,
l'eucharistie, le pardon,
le mariage, l'ordre,
l'onction des malades et les funérailles.
L'Église et l'oecuménisme : à venir
Les communautés culturelles : à venir
l'Église donne de la formation par des
colloques, des cours
et des sessions.
l'Église ressource avec la
Bible, des lieux
de retraites, des
sites de pèlerinage, des
sessions de spiritualité.
Les journées mondiales de la jeunesse :
JMJ
www.diocesemontreal.org
20 mars 2006