Why Cause Grief?

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb 16
First reading Ecclesiasticus 15:16-21

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.

Psalm                                                                            Psalm 118:1-2,4-5,17-18,33-34
Second reading                                                        1 Corinthians 2:6-10

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

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.’

Reflection by Rosalinda Markell

The relationship between spiritual leaders and followers can sometimes become troubled. Jesus was very aware of this reality which is why in today's Gospel, He challenged His followers to cultivate a virtue deeper than that of the Pharisees and scribes.  It is unfortunate that these Jewish spiritual leaders did not live up to God's and men's expectation of them.  Jesus was quite blunt to call them hypocrites and blind guides. In another chapter of St Matthew's Gospel, He told people to do what these leaders teach them to do, but not what they do (Mt 23:3). 

Until now, we could still hear or even witness scandals caused by spiritual leaders.  Some of us lose heart that we generalize all spiritual leaders to be bad. Maintaining a cooperative spirit is necessary in order to benefit from those who provide spiritual direction to us. Our first response should be prayerful submission: "obey those who rule over you, and be submissive" (Heb 13-17).  For both leaders and followers, an attitude of mutual submission should prevail: "We are to (submit) to one another in fear of God."  (Eph 5:21). Lest leaders abuse such obedience, Jesus emphasized a heart of servant leadership to those who provide us with direction; "most assured by, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor he who is sent greater than He who sent him." (Jn 13:16). 

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to grant healing to those of us who have been hurt by our leaders' impropriety. Let's also pray for a change of heart to those who have caused grief to their flock.

Prayer

Our gracious Father, thank You for the people You have called to lead our Church. Protect them from errors in both words and actions so that they may lead Your people to the truth. May we provide them encouragement and support. Bless too our government, the leaders of our country, that they may be trustworthy instruments in bringing good to society, not war, envy, greediness, and most of all evil. Give them wisdom, an insight beyond the scope of partisan interests. Maintain peace and increase righteousness throughout the land now and for always. This we beg of You, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Chosen One

First Reading: Amos 7:12-15

To Amos himself Amaziah said, 'Go away, seer, take yourself off to Judah, earn your living there, and there you can prophesy! But never again will you prophesy at Bethel, for this is a royal sanctuary, a national temple.' 'I am not a prophet,' Amos replied to Amaziah, 'nor do I belong to a prophetic brotherhood. I am merely a herdsman and dresser of sycamore-figs. But Yahweh took me as I followed the flock, and Yahweh said to me, "Go and prophesy to my people Israel."

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. Thus he chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love, marking us out for himself beforehand, to be adopted sons, through Jesus Christ. Such was his purpose and good pleasure, to the praise of the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved, in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight.

He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, according to his good pleasure which he determined beforehand in Christ, for him to act upon when the times had run their course: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth. And it is in him that we have received our heritage, marked out beforehand as we were, under the plan of the One who guides all things as he decides by his own will, chosen to be, for the praise of his glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came. Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the gospel of your salvation, and having put your trust in it you have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, for the freedom of the people whom God has taken for his own, for the praise of his glory.

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, 'Don't take a spare tunic.' And he said to them, 'If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust under your feet as evidence to them.' So they set off to proclaim repentance and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Reflection

By Beth Eguia

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick-- no food, no sack, no money in their belts.”

It has been 5 months now after my operation. It was scary but thank God he sent angels. I was able to go through the ordeal. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a friend whom I only met in the hospital. Her name is Mildred, a simple but extraordinary woman. I can still recall that first day in the hospital. I was pale, in pain, afraid. I made the decision to have the operation but at the back of my mind I was so scared. I needed help. I needed refuge. I needed to feel secure. Working in a Muslim country, it is surprising to have been admitted and been taken care of in a hospital facility run by nuns. And to top it all, a community of lay people visits the sick regardless of race or religion. God knew I was scared and I needed someone so He sent Mildred to me. I wanted to have a confession, to receive Holy Communion, to have anointing, and most especially, to be at peace. It was like you are going into a battle. You have to show you are in control, that you can do it, but inside you need something to fill that empty space, to push you more, to be energized.


Mildred arranged everything, called for the priest so I can have all the sacraments and most especially, she was there to comfort me. The moment we were alone together, I talked and started to cry like a child. I melted like a candle, and her mere presence made me realized how precious I am to God. Simple gestures but it all made the difference. I was very grateful for that. At the day of my operation, I was at peace. I was happy. I can’t explain it but it is like you are so secured and that everything will be fine. I know people were praying for me, my family, friends and relatives. God was with me. Worries never crossed my mind even when I was inside the operating room and they were preparing me for the anesthesia. I woke up thinking it has not started but I was already in the recovery room about to be wheeled down back to my room. Mildred visited me almost every day during my 7 days stay in the hospital. If she was not around, she made sure someone will be there so I can receive the Holy Communion.

Each one of us is being called to be the chosen one. There are no major requirements. You could be rich or poor, a degree holder or not. It does not even ask you to be a master of anything. The only basic requirement is a big heart. A heart that loves and gives beyond what is expected. A humble and contrite heart that is 100% dependent on God. That is what I have witnessed in Mildred. She was a family woman but dedicated part of her life comforting others like me. I even asked her once how she coped with this kind of life. And she just merely said, “Everyday as I wake up, I thank and praise God and surrender everything to Him. I emptied myself so God can use me in accordance to his will.’


You and I can be like Mildred too. Are we ready to be the Chosen One?


Prayer

We praise and thank You Lord for another wonderful message in today’s Gospel. Grant us the grace to live our lives emulating what the disciples did, living life in service for others. Amen.