First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20
Reflection:
Sirach was composed in the early second century B.C. by the sage Ben Sira of Jerusalem. In this passage, he gives advice regarding the importance of God’s commandments. According to Ben Sira, and Jesus in this Sunday’s gospel reading, the commandments are not simply arbitrary rules made up to restrict our freedom. They are, in fact, life-giving. For if you “keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live.” God wants what is best for us. Sin is not what is best, for it is not what God has intended for us. In fact, sin always harms us and those around us. God gives commandments in order to show us the path to life. They are like guardrails helping to keep us on the road toward heaven. The life of faith is one of trusting that God knows what is best for us. Therefore, faith naturally leads to choosing obedience. On our own, however, faithful obedience to God’s commands would not be possible. Thankfully, Jesus offers us the grace needed in order to faithfully obey God and the forgiveness to help us get back up when we fall.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Reflection:
Paul here teaches that the message of Christianity is not based on the wisdom of this world but on the wisdom of God. This wisdom is accessible to those who are “mature” in faith. This maturity refers to a sort of spiritual adulthood, in contrast to a spiritual infancy/immaturity that Paul accuses the Corinthian believers of having in chapter three of 1 Corinthians. Another way of putting this would be saying that faith leads to understanding. God’s revelation in Jesus Christ is oftentimes “mysterious” and “hidden,” but through the eyes of faith we can come to recognize the wisdom of God and even understand it. Our understanding of God’s message comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised, the Spirit will lead us into all truth (cf. John 16:13). As we grow in maturity in our faith through the guiding of the Holy Spirit, we will grow in understanding of the mysteriousness of God, which is a life-long process of getting to know God. In fact, the purpose of our lives is to know, love, and serve God. Knowing God leads to loving Him, which leads to serving Him in faithful obedience to His commandments.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:17-37
Reflection:
In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives the Law of the New Covenant, which is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant Law of Moses. Jesus confirms that His message is in continuity with the Old Testament, which He refers to as “the law and the prophets.” He did not come to do away with the teachings of the Old Testament but to bring them to fulfillment. In other words, Jesus makes complete the Old Testament by bringing to light its true meaning. He emphasizes the importance of keeping God’s commandments given in the Old Testament, while at the same time raising the bar on standards of morality. In His “You have heard that it was said … But I say to you” statements, Jesus illustrates that God is most concerned with our hearts. For example, while confirming the evil of acts like murder and adultery, Jesus teaches that it is just as wrong to hate one’s brother and have lust in one’s heart. In other words, Jesus is calling His followers to have their hearts in the right place. Following the commandments is not so much about abiding by a list of rules, but about keeping our hearts centered on God. When we fill our lives with the love of God, there is no room for hate, lust, falsehood, etc. Thankfully, Jesus not only calls us to this high standard, but by His power and grace He also offers us everything we need to accomplish it.
Application:
- What laws of God do you have difficulty accepting and living? Are there any of Christ’s teachings in the gospel reading that you find challenging and struggle to abide by? If so, ask Jesus for forgiveness for times when you have fallen into sin and for the grace to be obedient to His commandments out of love for Him.
- In the second reading, St. Paul talks about the understanding of the wisdom of God through Christian maturity. In what ways do you need to mature in your Christian life? What one action step could you take this week to grow in understanding of your faith and put that understanding into practice as a disciple of Christ?
