VI Sunday in OT:(A): Sir 15: 15-20, I
Cor 2: 6-10, Mt 5: 17-37
Introduction: In the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in today’s Gospel, while
challenging his disciples to live a life of justice and righteousness which
should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus, as the new lawgiver,
sets forth his own position with regard to the Law given through Moses, by
providing new interpretation and meaning for the old laws. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus
explains the real meaning of three Mosaic laws concerning murder, adultery and
false oaths.
Exegesis: What Jesus adds in each case is “intention”. It is not
really enough not to murder, for example, but there are many ways to “murder”
someone. It can be hate in one’s mind for another, it can be destroying the
reputation of another, it can be taking revenge – even if it is just something
you think about. If you harbor these feelings, you must reconcile yourself with
the other person.
You
shall not commit adultery. All of this is very complex and reasons for divorce
are very complex. All we need to know here is that the ideal of marriage is
that it last and it should not be tainted by unfaithfulness in thought or
action, especially since thoughts lead to actions. We can’t all meet that
ideal… but we must strive for it.
The
last example is from the commandment about not giving false witness and it is a
plea to be perfectly honest, so that your “yes” and “no” will be enough to be
accepted as truth by everyone. For a person known to be a speaker of truth,
oaths are unnecessary. Jesus says that oaths for every trivial thing, which was
common in his day, is unnecessary, and makes the oath-swearer look like a liar.
Joke: Clock that counts lies: Someone is getting a
tour around Heaven and he asks "Um what are those clocks for?"
"Oh those" Says the tour guide angel "well those clocks tell
lies. Each tick is counted as one lie, like this one here. It says Mother
Theresa under it and that means that it tells how many times she lied. As you
can see, she only lied a couple of times." "how about that one"
"well that one shows how many times peter from the bible lied. Again, only
a small amount." "Hmmmmmm. How come I don't see very many non
christian famous people's clocks on the wall." "Oh" says the
tour guid "those are in jesus' office... he uses them as ceiling fans...on
and on…. Ya."
Practical Applications: 1) We need to obey God’s Law, appreciating its basic principles: In obeying God’s law and Church law, let us remember the two basic principles on which these laws are based, namely, the principle of reverence and the principle of respect. In the first four of the Ten Commandments, we are asked to reverence God, reverence His holy Name, reverence His holy day and reverence our father and mother. The next set of commandments instructs us to respect life, one’s personal integrity and good name, the legal system, another’s property and another's spouse. Our obedience to these laws must be prompted by love of God and gratitude to God for His blessings.
2) We need to forgive, forget and move toward reconciliation as soon as possible. St. Paul
3) We need to be true to God, to ourselves and to others. Let us allow God’s word of truth to penetrate our minds and hearts and to form our consciences, making us men and women of integrity.
Introduction - Sixth Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Message: In Jesus is revealed a new wisdom, a new law, a new
way of living. Happy are they who choose
to keep his commandments and follow his ways.
Saints and Events in this week: 17-Seventeenth-Monday-The Seven Holy Founders of the
Servite Order; 21-Twentyfirst-Friday-Saint Peter Damian, bishop, doctor of the
Church; 22-Saturday-The Chair of Saint Peter, The Apostle.
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