First reading Ecclesiasticus 15:16-21
God predestined wisdom to be for our glory before the ages began
If you wish, you can keep the commandments,
to behave faithfully is within your power.
He has set fire and water before you;
put out your hand to whichever you prefer.
Man has life and death before him;
whichever a man likes better will be given him.
For vast is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is almighty and all-seeing.
His eyes are on those who fear him,
he notes every action of man.
He never commanded anyone to be godless,
he has given no one permission to sin.
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):1-2,4-5,17-18,33-34
They are happy who follow God’s law!
They are happy whose life is blameless,
who follow God’s law!
They are happy who do his will,
seeking him with all their hearts.
You have laid down your precepts
to be obeyed with care.
May my footsteps be firm
to obey your statutes.
Bless your servant and I shall live
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
the wonders of your law.
Teach me the demands of your statutes
and I will keep them to the end.
Train me to observe your law,
to keep it with my heart.
Second reading 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
God predestined wisdom to be for our glory before the ages began
We have a wisdom to offer those who have reached maturity: not a philosophy of our age, it is true, still less of the masters of our age, which are coming to their end. The hidden wisdom of God which we teach in our mysteries is the wisdom that God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began. It is a wisdom that none of the masters of this age have ever known, or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory; we teach what scripture calls: the things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him.
These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God.
Gospel Matthew 5:17-37
You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors; but I say this to you
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.
‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’
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A heart formed by the Holy Spirit
Today, Jesus calls us to look at our hearts, our inner core because merely observing external laws is not enough. In today’s gospel, He highlights the commandments of “You shall not kill” and “You shall not commit adultery” and challenges His listeners then and each one of us today to go to the roots of the actions, i.e. anger and lust. These attitudes and emotions are not right or wrong in themselves. However, we can sometimes allow them to direct our thoughts, words and actions, which can lead to harmful and damaging results for ourselves and others.
Jesus wants us to have His same heart of love that pulls down walls of division and turn hatred into peace. The good news is that He never
demands what He does not enable us to do. He gifts us with His Spirit that shapes our emotions and attitudes and strengthens us to choose to walk the path of truth, mercy and justice. Thus, guided by the Holy Spirit, the way we live will be life-giving for ourselves and those around us.
demands what He does not enable us to do. He gifts us with His Spirit that shapes our emotions and attitudes and strengthens us to choose to walk the path of truth, mercy and justice. Thus, guided by the Holy Spirit, the way we live will be life-giving for ourselves and those around us.
Reflective question:
Do I open myself to be led by God’s spirit and make life-giving choices?
Do I open myself to be led by God’s spirit and make life-giving choices?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
