Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 the kingdom of heaven.”
—Matthew 5:17-37
Wisdom from before the ages,
precepts written still to bless,
secrets hidden from the sages:
How shall we know righteousness?
These you lay before us, Father,
jot and tittle all complete.
Every son and every daughter
chooses death or death’s defeat.
Nothing, then, could be more urgent
than a thirst for righteousness.
If we are, as you are, perfect,
you, O Lord, will see and bless.
Yet we are not perfect, Father—
all our efforts incomplete.
Feeble son and faulty daughter:
Shall our death be our defeat?
You have taught us of the kingdom;
teach us more of righteousness.
Let that knowledge in us deepen,
“yes” become a greater “yes.”
Shall we enter in, O Father?
May your mercy be complete.
Spare your sons and spare your daughters:
Let your life our deaths defeat.
Kate Bluett 