Sunday, February 16, 2020

​THE SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

"Holy Wisdom" Russian Icon

"Life is about choices. Some we regret, Some we are proud of. Some will haunt us forever.
​The message: we are what we choose to be.”
- Graham Brown

The liberty or the freedom to decide and to make choices is one of the inalienable rights for every human being. Even though God created us but out of His benevolence He gave us the free-will to make decisions and choices on our own accord.

This free-will is the power and authority He has endowed us with so that He does not control us like a robot. But have we used this free-will to make the right choices and decisions? Our world today is suffering because human beings have made wrongful choices: the consequences of which seem to be a scare-crow robbing us of our peace and happiness.

In the first reading, the Jews had problems in their society because they deviated from the path of Yahweh, so God spoke to them to make the right choices out of the options given to them. In effect, He reminded them that obedience to His commandments and laws was a solid foundation for making the right choices.

Beloved ones in Christ, even though we have our own free-will and the right to decide and choose, we should always choose that which corresponds to the will of God. This will guarantee peace and joy in our lives.

Paul, in the second reading, makes it emphatically clear that human wisdom is incomparable to the Divine wisdom. So to succeed in our choices and decision making, we need and should rely upon the wisdom of God. It is a key to open the treasures of life to us.

The Psalmist says, ”Give me discernment that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart... Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.” Psalm 119:1, 34.

In the gospel reading, Jesus Christ condemns certain bad choices and decisions of human beings like anger, giving false oath or swearing, adultery and disobedience to the law of the Lord. These are enemies to our progress and advancement. Instead, He encourages us to go for righteousness and wisdom. 

Indeed, as Christians, we need to pay attention to our choices and decisions. Never depend on your human wisdom and competence, but rely on God for everything you do. 

May God keep you safe under His watchful care so that you do not regret your choices!

Are you enjoying the snow and the sun? I drove on a snowmobile. It was fun! 

Love you. See you in Church.

Fr. Emmanuel

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