Feb 16 2020 Reflection
Sunday 16 February 2020
First Reading: SIR 15:15-20
Responsorial Psalm:
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
PS 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Second Reading: 1 COR 2:6-10
Gospel Reading: MT 5:20-22A, 27-28, 33-34A, 37
Today’s Note: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter 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 brother
will be liable to judgment.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not 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 it 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.”
Reflection:
Before man are life and death, . . . whichever he chooses shall be given him. (Sirach 15:17)
Free will. It’s God’s greatest gift to us, and it’s also our riskiest characteristic. Free will has enabled us to decide for ourselves what kind of people we will be. It has enabled us to create music and art, to build cities and roads, to marry and have children. It has also enabled us to destroy instead of create, to hurt and betray instead of heal and build up. Most important, it’s through our free will that we decide whether to follow Jesus or our own thoughts and desires.
Sirach seems keenly aware of how much of a two-edged sword our free will can be. Each of us, he says, is free to choose between “fire and water, . . . life and death, good and evil” (Sirach 15:16, 17). And God will respect whatever we choose.
Of course, our heavenly Father longs for us to choose life in him, but he will never force himself on us. He is not like the petty gods dreamed up by the pagans, who use threats and manipulation to keep their people in line.
God also knows that free will has consequences. And so Sirach teaches, “Whichever he chooses shall be given him” (Sirach 15:17). While God honors our choices, he also respects the results those choices bring.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a real-life illustration: “Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:22). If you choose to nurture anger, resentment, and condemnation, don’t be surprised if other people begin treating you in the same way. But if you build an environment of trust and respect, that’s what you will receive.
So choose life today. Use this awesome gift of your free will to choose gentleness, patience, and all the other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Above all, choose Jesus. Welcome him into your life, and let his love soften your heart. It’s the best choice you could ever make.
“Jesus, help me to choose you in every situation today.”
