Sixth Sunday in Ordinay Time.
First Reading. Sir. 15: 15-20.
Second Reading. 1 Cor. 2: 6-10.
Gospel. Mt. 5: 17-37.
Reflection.
We have therefore to start with the mind where thoughts are formed and then turn into action. Though the commandments mean this, they are not precisely stated. Therefore Jesus had to interpret the commandments. That was why he said that He had come not to abolish the law but to perfect it. It is now up to us to choose between God and the world. If we give in to human wisdom then we are choosing the world, but if we yield into the Spirit and through the Spirit to the wisdom of God, then we choose God and will be rewarded with eternal life. These are clear in today’s readings.
In the first reading the author Sirach formulates two ways through which we could act when it comes to living our faith. He says “he has put before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you wish. Before man is laid life and death, whichever he chooses will be given to him. “God’s wisdom is great. He has not commanded anybody to be ungodly and neither has he given anyone permission to sin. Therefore if we are moved by the wisdom of God then we are safe and are through.
The second reading too reminds us of the importance of placing all our trust and hope in the wisdom of God rather than on human wisdom. This wisdom of God is hidden but we could discover it with the help of the Spirit. It is said, “That no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” God reveals these to us through the Spirit for the Spirit searches everything, even the depth of God. Therefore let us be faithful to the Lord and listen to the Spirit, so that the Spirit would guide us.
This wisdom of God and the spirit is for us to live a life worthy of God It is not just a matter of trying to be faithful to the commandments to the letter and be satisfied about it. But it should be above that. It is not just a matter of avoiding sinful action, but sin should be eradicated from our very hearts. Sin is not mere only action. It begins in our hearts as thought. Therefore we need to eradicate it at the very place it begins. Therefore Jesus had to interpret it. Therefore it is quite clear that Jesus is not trying to abolish the law. He is not even reducing the spirit of it, but He is interpreting it in the right manner. Therefore he is trying to perfect it. It should be so; for all those who love Him, will keep His commandments. And they will keep these both to the letter and to the spirit.
Aid Story.
A master asked his servant to clean his office. The servant cleaned it but there was a cobweb in the corner. The master saw it and reproached him. The following day a cobweb was there again and the boy was reprimanded. The servant removed it again, but it reappeared, when the master chided him again the servant said. “I have already removed the cobweb three times.” The master replied. “What you must do is not just remove the cobweb but also kill the spider.”
The same thing happens to the sinner who confesses but again does not avoid the occasion and so falls again.
Aid Story 2.
An Israelites accused an Europeans saying, “You Europeans carried away everything from us. Religion, the Church, the Bible, the leadership of the Church, the Ten Commandments...etc.” The European answered. “We took everything from you all right, but as for the Ten Commandments we took it alright but we never kept it.”
Fr. Ciswan De Croos.
Marian year. Devils flee before Mary’s face as wax melts before the fire. (St. Bonaventure)
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