The readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time focus on the law and commandments and why true wisdom lies in both obeying them and going beyond them.

The first reading tells us to choose life by obeying God’s commandments. As a parent, it was easy for us to remind our children to remember The Ten Commandments and to tell them that those are important rules to us as Catholics. However, how often do we, as parents or godparents or as an adult, truly live by them?! Not understanding the reason for these commands made them difficult to willingly abide by.   As the first reading tells us, God’s commands are to give us life. He shows us the way through His words, and He will remind us repeatedly to follow him. but if we choose to ignore all these, who else can we blame?

Now, why should I listen to God and follow His commands, especially when they seem so old and archaic? The second reading reminds us that God’s wisdom is far greater than our own. 1 Corinthians 2:9 What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, – No one knows God except for the Spirit of God. We can share in understanding God’s plan because of the Holy Spirit within us. 1 Corinthians 2:9 and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. – we are taught to place our hope in God for the outcome of our lives. No matter what trials and tribulations we face in life, we are encouraged to hold onto faith, and wait patiently for God’s deliverance. This phrase spoke very strongly to me as I always try to second guess what God has planned for me, and sometimes, I will have doubts as I don’t fully understand or fully accept. We need to stop and really trust in our Lord. After all, who knows better than God our Father, who never asks more of us than we are capable?

Also, as Christians, the Old Testament laws are hardly abrogated. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us expressly that he has come to fulfil the law and not to abolish it. Jesus revisits many of the same topics as the Ten Commandments, such as murder and adultery, and extends them, adding a greater imperative to their requirements. He does not dismiss them, but he shows their deeper meaning. So, to draw closer to God and to truly live, we must go beyond the minimum requirements of the law. We need to understand the purpose of the law, which is justice and love.

 

Matthew 5:37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” There is no grey area, there is no middle ground – we need to remember this and stand firm to our faith.

 

Written by:
Cecilia Loh