First reading: Sir. 15: -15-20
“If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty
to do his will. There are set before you
fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before man are life and death, whichever he
chooses shall be given him. Immense is
the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. The eyes of God see all he has made; he
understands man’s every deed. No man
does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies.”
Second reading: 1 Cor. 2:6-10
“Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a
wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious,
hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none
of the rulers of this age knew for, if they had known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. But as it
is written: ‘What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not
entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,’ this
God had revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of
God."
Gospel reading: Mt. 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37 (Short form)
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the
scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You
shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his
brother will be liable to judgment.
“You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall no commit
adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone
who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his
heart.
“Again you have heard that is was said to your ancestors,
‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean
‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
Introductory theme summary:
Appropriate for our society that presumes upon God’s gift of
salvation, we again have another message that points to the necessity of
repentance and reforming our lives.
Reflection:
In the first reading we have a clear indication of why it is
necessary for us to repent our sins. God,
in His infinite wisdom, permits everyone the liberty to choose between life and
death. In our fallen state of knowing
good and evil, we have ready access to each.
Considering all have sinned, there remains the necessity of a choice by
us in order to avoid the consequence of death.
Only repentance serves as the
real indication of having chosen life. This
passage concludes with a statement meant to confirm there is no rational for
supporting the commission of any sin, and does so after assuring everyone that
God will indeed grant death to those who do not repent.
In the gospel reading we have an even clearer indication of
the measure of moral observation expected from us. It isn’t enough for us to simply avoid the
actions that are obviously sinful. We
are also expected to adhere to an interior observation of moral conformity. This is first characterized by the Lord’s
reference to the Scribes and Pharisees, who analyzed the letter of the law in
order to display an external observation of it, while failing to understand the
spirit of the law and there by accomplish its interior objective.
He then gives three specific examples of this principal as
it relates to everyday conduct: anger, lasciviousness, and deception. In the first case Jesus draws a correlation between the severity of murder and the interior disposition of harboring anger toward another, and declares that one doesn’t have to go as far as murder to deserve God’s wrath. Harboring anger in our heart murders one’s love for the person who is the object that anger, filling the void with hate. Murdering love in one’s heart accomplishes the exclusion of God, who is love. Shutting out God invites His wrath upon one’s self.
In the second case Jesus instructs us on the importance of chastity. By pointing out the interior origin of adultery, Jesus emphasizes the severity of neglecting the virtue of chastity. A very relevant message for us today considering how drastically we have departed from the traditional values regarding sexuality. Do we really think God has changed his rules for morality, which have been in place for so many centuries and bound so many people?
The third case seems minor in comparison but actually, the
dishonesty of deception is considerably graver than most people consider. God is truth, and any contradiction of truth
is a direct opposition to God. Directly
opposing God makes one His enemy. Try as
one may, no one can stand against
God.
Finally, perhaps surprising for many, the second reading points
to the greatest significance of interior purity, which is to prepare us for
intimacy with God. Each one of these
specific virtues are essential to an authentic intimate relationship with
God. It is only by a purified interior
being that anyone can accurately follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so as
to perceive even the depths of God. Our
Lord said, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8)
Come, let us show God our faith is true. Instead of continuing to rationalize our sins
and sinfulness, let us pay God the respect He deserves and actually repent them
as a matter of authenticity in belief. For He who is holy calls those who believe in
Him to a life of holiness!
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