Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 76

Reading 1

Sir 15:15-20

If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live;
he has set before you fire and water
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.
Before man are life and death, good and evil,
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 are on those who fear him;
he understands man's every deed.
No one does he command to act unjustly,
to none does he give license to sin.

 

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

R. (1b) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
Oh, that I might be firm in the ways
of keeping your statutes!
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Be good to your servant, that I may live
and keep your words.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Instruct me, O LORD, in the way of your statutes,
that I may exactly observe them.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Reading 2

1 Cor 2:6-10

Brothers and sisters:
We speak a wisdom to those who are mature,
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 has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

Alleluia

cF. mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

 

Gospel

Mt 5:17-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
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 his brother
will be liable to judgment;
and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,'
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin;
and whoever says, 'You fool,'
will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

"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.
If your right eye causes you to sin,
tear it out and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said,
Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.
But I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife -  unless the marriage is unlawful -
causes her to commit adultery,
and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"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;
not by heaven, for it is God's throne;
nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.'
Anything more is from the evil one."

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

We learn that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and is the culmination of everything that has come before in Sacred Scripture. He is the final revelation and it is through Him that we approach the Father. To enter into relationship with God, we are given direction, a code of conduct, in the form of the Law. This Law was handed down from God and we are asked to follow it for our betterment and the betterment of all those whom we interact with. It is not something forced upon us, but it is an agreement that we voluntarily enter into when we claim our birthright as children of God.

 

The reading from Sirach tells us that we have two choices before us: to obey or not obey, to do good or evil, to listen to God’s wisdom or not. We are reminded that there are consequences to the choices that we make. It is through following God that we find life and a transformative experience. This can be difficult at times, but we have an advocate in the Holy Spirit that can become a driving force in our lives when we are open to its presence. The more that we focus on our spirituality, the stronger we become. Following God’s law ceases becoming a burden and instead something that makes us healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. Saint Ephrem said,

 

“The word of God is a tree of life that offers us blessed fruit from each of its branches. It is like that rock, which was struck open in the wilderness, from which all were offered spiritual drink. As the Apostle says: They ate spiritual food, and they drank spiritual drink.”

 

We are invited to eat and drink at God’s banquet which has its roots in the law. There should be no fear of the consequences of not following the law, but joy instead at pleasing the one who gave us the law. Following God’s will instead of our own is what brings about this joy: true joy that cannot be replaced by anything on this earth.

 

Jesus challenges us to have a deeper commitment to the law that goes beyond just obeying what is written down. What we have now through Him is obedience based on love. It is not just about doing or not doing, but conducting ourselves to love and be loved. As Christians, we need to have depth to our actions. We cannot be miserable while doing these things; that misses the point. We cannot judge those whom we interact with. There must be room for mercy. We need to give it and be prepared to receive it. Compromise is always key, even when we think we are right. The Book of Proverbs tells us that,

 

 “The man who pleads his case first seems to be in the right; then his opponent comes and puts him to the test.”

 

We should always try to compromise, make peace, forgive. This will lead us to receive compromise, peace, and forgiveness. This all can be difficult, but it is certainly worth it. Things done out of kindness and love bring about an abundance of good things. It adds humanity to the law and helps us become Christlike. When we find ourselves in a position where we are going to render judgement or hold someone accountable, it would be good to reflect if we have ever been in the same position as the person before us. Have we ever wronged someone in a similar way? The answer is usually a resounding yes. With that, we give love and mercy, for there will come another time where we will be asking for the same thing.

 

We have been called by God to love and be loved. This relationship, as God’s children, requires obedience and structure. This is offered through Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and Sacred Tradition. Experiencing all of these brings about an understanding of the law that has been given to us by God, which then allows us to experience God’s love within ourselves and everyone we interact with.

 

Deacon Tom

 

 

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 70

Reading 1

Zep 2:3; 3:12-13

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,
who have observed his law;
seek justice, seek humility;
perhaps you may be sheltered
on the day of the LORD's anger.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
they shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2

1 Cor 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

Alleluia

Mt 5:12a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

Humbling ourselves enables us to achieve great things in our lives. It is through pride and arrogance that we encounter sin, which then leads to our destruction. Being humble allows us to be open to what God wants us to do. We are more apt to hear His voice and respond to what He is saying. Accepting a lowly status in this world is the key to greatness in the eyes of God. Jesus spoke of this when He instructed us not to accept a position of honor when being invited to a wedding feast, but instead take the lowest position, thus earning the esteem of all at the table. There is no need to be boastful, nor to focus on things that, in the end, are of no consequence. The important things are the things that reveal the Kingdom of God: feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, comforting the sick, visiting the incarcerated, and burying the dead. All these are done in a quiet, discreet manner. It is through our actions that we set the example for everyone to follow. These are considered works of mercy, for we all are providing each other with comfort and sustenance. Doing these things while maintaining our spiritual health through correction, instruction, counseling, comforting, forgiving, and suffering leads us on the path to perfection. We are also more apt to see the face of Jesus in all those whom we serve.

 

Jesus’ instructions today takes the wisdom of this world and turns it upside down. Strength is found in weakness, greatness is discovered in meekness, glory is seen when there is none. We are elevated when we lower ourselves. As the Apostle Paul said,

 

“God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,

and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,

and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,

those who count for nothing,

to reduce to nothing those who are something,”

 

While there are those who pursue earthly things, we are invited into something more worthwhile that has at its roots a spiritual essence that brings us into constant contact with God. It is here where we can find true joy. God blesses those who are without power and influence. Pursuing the virtues he listed and keeping these things close to our hearts while doing good works enables us to live our lives with Him at its center. The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. It is through acting out our faith that this happens.

 

Deacon Tom

 

 

 

 

 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 67

Reading 1

Is 8:23—9:3

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Reading 2

1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Alleluia

Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.” We know that light to be Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that we are bathed in His light and are then able to live a joyous life with Him as our guiding force. This light is at once inside of us and all around us. Jesus Christ is everywhere, and He is everything. It is good to keep this in mind, especially at this time of year when daylight is scarce, and the air is cold. The appearance of lifelessness can easily lead to seasonal depression and loneliness. Reminding ourselves that Jesus is with us can combat these feelings and offer a counterbalance to all the bad things that are happening in this world.

 

I cannot help but feel spiritually uplifted when I participate in any type of religious gathering. This can be corporal worship, religious activities, or acts of charity. In all these instances there is a spirituality that cannot be ignored. When these things happen, the presence of Jesus is truly recognized. I know that all those who participate in these things feel the same way. As Jesus Himself said, “When two or three are gathered in My name, I am in your midst.” He was emphasizing the importance of community and acting out a rich spiritual life with Him at its center. This is the key to real joy and the solution to most challenges in a world that is under the constant threat of evil. Imagine how many billions of people participate in some sort of religious community or religious acts that lead to the revelation of Jesus to the world. His light shines brightly. It is the bulwark against the threats of those who oppose all that is good. Taking these things into account, there should be a realization of the strength that the revelation of Jesus Christ brings to the faithful and those who live throughout the world.

 

How strong are we as the Christian Faithful? We have God on our side. So, obviously, there really shouldn’t be anything to worry about. In our humanness, this fact is easily overlooked. We are inclined to think that we can be masters of our own destiny. It is true that we have certain freedoms that can lead to positive or negative outcomes based on our choices, but it is when our decisions are aligned to God’s will that things fall into place. Keeping God first is key to true joy and positive outcomes. Without God and not listening to God, things eventually go awry. Unfortunately, there are many times when we forget our own strengthens and are beaten down by earthly powers who seek to supersede the will of God for their own selfish reasons grounded in selfish gain, material wealth, and power. We must be reminded that these powers do not have our best interests at heart and are seeking to minimize the influence of God, removing as much of His influence as possible over His creation.

 

Today, in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, there is a parallel drawn between what was happening in that religious community to the status of the Church today. Rivalries have sprung up. There are divisions, factions, and conflict, many which have led to much violence and death throughout the centuries. All of these have their beginnings in the Human Condition and are rooted in selfish inclinations instead of the will of God. The Church is made up of people and, because of that, something that was perfect has become imperfect. To overcome this, there must be a constant renewal of the mind and an intense effort on spiritual renewal. The only people who want the Church divided are those who wish to destroy it. As Paul said,

 

“Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.”

The Church is stronger than any one person and the focus should be on Jesus Christ who founded the Church here on this earth. When we unite, we become a massive force of pure good that can never be overcome. When we focus on the true meaning of the Crucified Christ, then nothing can overcome the Church and that which is God’s in the first place.

 

Anything that is happening now and will happen in the future will ultimately lead to better things when the Light of Christ is realized. Living within the Light of Christ offers us a better way and better things. We walk together in a community of righteousness, billions strong, journeying together towards something greater than anything else in this universe.

 

Deacon Tom