Daily Readings - Sun Feb 12 2023
1 Corinthians
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Matthew
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of 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.