Welcoming the Holy

Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God. 

February, 16 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prayer

God, teach us that you abide in hearts that are just and true. Grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to you. We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son and our brother. Amen.
 

Scripture

If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before a man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him. Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and all-seeing. The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man’s every deed. No one does he command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin. [Sirach 15:15-20]                     
 

Reflection

Every day we are confronted with choices, about what to do or not do: choices about how to spend our time, our money our energy. Some choices are fairly simple like what movie or program to watch; but other choices are more complex since often times our decisions affect not only ourselves but others. The above scripture from Sirach places before us a radical choice.

Life or death – that basic choice we make over and over again in our dealings with one another.Do we treat each other with respect and dignity or do we make “objects” or “things” of other human beingsDo we choose life or death?
The God of Israel gave commandments that were concerned as much with the way people treated each other as the way they worshiped God. Of the Ten Commandments, seven deal with human relationships. The choice of life offered to Israel was a choice to commit itself to improving the quality of their life together with respect for the aged and one another’s property; with loving fidelity in marriage and loving resolution of human quarrels and envy; and with honesty in all matters.
 
If you go on and read today’s Gospel, Matthew 5:17-37, you will find that Jesus elaborated on this message by giving us the Beatitudes. .        
 
 

Ponder

In what ways do I choose life or death in my own life; in my relationships with others? Prayer : Gracious and loving God, teach me discernment and wisdom and guide me in the way of your commands. Listen to my prayers and grant them according to your will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.