Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
How in the world are we to surpass the scribes—scholars who know the Scriptures inside and out—and the Pharisees—those with a reputation for following the Law with precision—in righteousness, that we might enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Consider Christ’s constant challenge to the scribes and Pharisees: they excel at fulfilling the letter of the Law, but they fail at conforming to the Law. In other words they do what they are told, but they do not allow what they do to change who they are. Sin begins in the heart; one need not harm or kill, one need not fornicate to be a murderer or a fornicator at heart. Those who do commit such sinful acts did not one day decide to do them: they fostered sin in their heart until, one day, they “followed their heart.” One may, as did the scribes and Pharisees, commit numerous righteous deeds, but in Heaven are the angels and saints at peace with God and one another simply because they exhibit good behavior?
No: the peace and union of Heaven is one not of non-aggression, not of good behavior, but it is a union of hearts. Of love. St. Anthony’s holiness was not the result of his excellent behavior, but rather his charity, and the clear evidence in his life that the Christian life and the demands Christ makes upon each of us were not being practiced merely out of obligation or a fear of Hell, but were second-nature, lived out of love for Christ.