Sunday February 13th 2011 Reflection

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time



A Reflection based on readings from: Sirach 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Psalm 119, Matthew 5:17-37


By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD, Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy


www.missionstsergius.org






Today's readings all have to do with the law, man made and God's law.


The first reading from the book of Sirach begins with these word; "If you choose to keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live."


Plain and simple it is a matter of choice on our part. In other words, we have the freedom to do good or choose to do evil.


In order to make the right choices we need God's graces. All evil in the world is the result of a human being choosing to take the path presented by the Lord of darkness, the fallen Angel who has been attempting since the beginning of time to lure people away from following and loving God.


This theme of choice continue in Paul's first letter top the Corinthians when it says; "We speak a wisdom not of this age nor of the rulers of this age as they are passing away, but we speak God's wisdom which is mysterious and hidden and which none of the rulers of this age knew for if they had they would not have crucified Christ."


In order for us to understand and to then put into practice the wisdom and will of God and make the correct choices we have to believe in God and ask God to inspire and guide us. We have to always keep in mind that God is Love and a loving God does not desire us to suffer needlessly. God freely give his infinite mercy and love to everyone of His children who seek it from Him. So it is with the wisdom to understand his desire for us.


In the Gospel Christ tells us: " Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill and clarify them" Christ goes on to say the following; "I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."


The scribes and Pharisees of Christ are the hierarchy of many of today's Religions who have made a whole bevy of man made rules that often are in total contradiction to the teachings of Christ. Firstly, Christ turned NO ONE away who came to him with faith and the desire to know his teachings and to worship the one true God.


Christ came to reinterpret the laws that had changed from the Commandments God gave to something that evolved over time to a lot of rules and regulations that had little to do with the original intent by God.


The same thing has happened since the time of Christ and that first Pentecost when the Church, we call the Christian Religion, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and they went forth proclaiming Christ's teachings and Baptizing in Water and the Holy Spirit.


It is that Baptism and the Holy Spirit that will assist us in making the right decisions so that we follow God's law.


The responsorial Psalm for today sums it all up; "Blessed are they that follow the law of the Lord"


Over the last three weeks we have heard what Christ said was the way to live when he gave His Sermon on the Mount which we call the BEATITUDES which, According to the dictionary means "Heavenly Happiness or Bliss" and the Great commandment Christ gave us; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law of the Prophets hangs on these two commandments."


We must always remember that; "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him" (1 Jn 4:16).


Remembering this we can always have the courage to make the right choices which Sirach and Paul's letter instruct we must do if we are to claim the place God has prepared for us in haven if we made the right choices and followed his teachings by being compassionate and loving toward All God's children, especially the sick, poor, aged, homeless, unemployed and disenfranchised of this world according to God's will and desire given in His commandments and laws. A God who is LOVE will never deny us the ability to live in accord with his will.


I pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire and lead us in the way of the Lord and give us the courage to always make the right choices so we serve God by serving His children here on this planet. AMEN






Pax E Bonum


A faithful Servant of Christ and St. Francis


Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD


Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus


Father Guardian of Franciscans of Divine Mercy


20 Veterans Memorial Drive #200


Franklin, MA 02038


www.missionstserggius.org


Divine Mercy Parish of the North American Old Catholic Church New England Diocese.


"Fostering a strong commitment to catholic tradition while searching for contemporary meaning"