A matter of life and death: The wisdom of the early Church
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The Didache, or the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, was a text written about the year 100 AD, probably by and for Jewish Christians. Its short 16 chapters dealt with the sacraments, prophets, teachers, and the Lord’s Day. It is the first six chapters, however, that interest me. This is how it begins: “There are two ways: one of the life and one of the death. But there is much diversity between the two ways. Therefore, this is the way of the life: First you will love God, the one who made you; secondly, your neighbor as yourself. But all things, as-much-as you, if-at-any-time, might not want to be coming-to-be done to you, you will also not do to another.”
The Didache, or the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, was a text written about the year 100 AD, probably by and for Jewish Christians. Its short 16 chapters dealt with the sacraments, prophets, teachers, and the Lord’s Day. It is the first six chapters, however, that interest me. This is how it begins: “There are two ways: one of the life and one of the death. But there is much diversity between the two ways. Therefore, this is the way of the life: First you will love God, the one who made you; secondly, your neighbor as yourself. But all things, as-much-as you, if-at-any-time, might not want to be coming-to-be done to you, you will also not do to another.”
Chapters 1-4 deal with the Way of Life and 5-6 with the Way of Death. Much of this teaching will already be found in the Old Testament and even somewhat in the New Testament. The key for all of us is that there are two distinct ways, and it is up to us to choose the correct one. Do we want life or death?
It appears that the text cites Matthew’s Gospel on the way of life: do not curse those who curse you; pray for your enemies; love those who hate you; keep far from fleshly desires; do not return a slap; do not take back what has been taken but give more; always be ready to be merciful.
Then the text goes through a long list of “You will nots,” such as murder, adultery, corrupting youth, stealing, and so forth. We are to flee from these and every other wicked thing, such as anger, sorcery, shameful talk, sexual immorality, speaking falsely, and vanity.
Rather, honor God, seek out holy companions, be peaceable, be generous, teach your children about the fear of the Lord, hate hypocrisy, confess your sins. As the text concludes: “This is the way of the life.”
There follows the “Way of Death.” In addition to all the obvious sins, we find hurting good people, hating the truth, lacking mercy toward the needy, and avoiding sacrifices to idols.
All too often, we forget that we face a great choice in this life. We may think that nothing really matters. That would be embracing a lie and we know where the Didache says that leads. So, sisters and brothers, this day and every day, let us make the choice for the Way of Life.
