Daily Readings - Sun Feb 12 2023
1 Corinthians
6Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.7But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.8None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"--10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
Matthew
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.27"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.33"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,37Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of wisdom, choice, and the depth of our faith. The Book of Sirach presents us with a clear choice between life and death, good and evil, emphasizing that our decisions have eternal consequences. True wisdom lies in faithfully following God's commandments, which guide us toward life. This theme of wisdom continues in the Second Reading from 1 Corinthians, where St. Paul contrasts human wisdom with God's divine wisdom. He reminds us that God's wisdom is mysterious and beyond human understanding, revealed only through the Holy Spirit. This wisdom is not of this world and is often misunderstood by those who rely solely on human knowledge.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands on the teachings of the law, calling us to a deeper righteousness that surpasses mere external observance. He teaches that our actions must stem from a pure heart, emphasizing that even our thoughts and words have moral implications. Jesus challenges us to move beyond legalism to a life of sincerity and integrity, where our "yes" means "yes" and our "no" means "no." This call to interior conversion is at the heart of the Christian life.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith must be lived with depth and authenticity. It is not enough to follow rules superficially; we must allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. In our daily lives, this means making choices that align with God's wisdom, seeking reconciliation when we fail, and striving to live with integrity in all we do. Let us ask for the grace to embrace the fullness of God's wisdom, allowing it to guide us in our thoughts, words, and actions. May we live in such a way that our lives reflect the deeper righteousness that Jesus calls us to, and may our hearts be open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.