Followers of the Spirit of the Law

    

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 February 2023

 

First Reading: Sir 15:15-20

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

Second Reading: 1 Cor 2:6-10

Gospel: Mt 5:17-37

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you....Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus in today's Gospel supplements the "sermon on the mount or the Beatitudes" of who are indeed blessed. Another direct challenge to the church leaders of His time; the Pharisees and the scribes. The church leaders knew and had memorized the commandments but they exercised it literally.

We are very familiar to the Ten Commandments which begin with loving the Lord with all our hearts, mind, and soul, and love one another as we love ourselves. In today's Gospel, the Lord Jesus highlighted "Thou shall not kill", "thou shall not commit adultery", and "thou shall not take false oath". We are reminded by the Lord that we need to follow the commandments on a deeper level. We have to obey not just the letter of the law but the spirit of the law. And if we do we shall be rewarded with the promise "If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you".

I thought I am a righteous person for I have never committed adultery and surely I have not killed anyone. But as I reflect on this Gospel, I found myself guilty of "killing" others and committing "adultery". At times I held a grudge and anger with another person, and when I look with lust on another woman. I am indeed guilty and I ask forgiveness. I pray that I would put into practice all the time pure love for one another, avoiding hate, and lustful thinking.

Prayer

Dear God, forgive us for being disobedient to the spirit of the law. Enable us to be more "righteous than the Pharisees and scribes". We pray that You will send Your Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily life to adhere to the commandments. Empower us to be teachers of Your commandments through our righteousness. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.