Daily Readings - Sun Feb 12 2023
1 Corinthians
6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
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 that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
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.