Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 12 February 2023 Homily for 12 February 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Sirach 15: 15-20
If we choose, we can keep the commandments!
If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. He has placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose. (15-16)
When we hear about wars and natural calamities, it is easy to feel intimidated by what we can physically see. But we must also remember, the battle St. Paul mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-20 often rages deep within us too! The daily choices we make eg; to react or to respond, to act out of faithfulness or selfishness; all entail whether we choose life or death! GOD in his mercy and wisdom has given us free will, may we exercise this free will appropriately! The result of our choices will be seen in the fruits that they bear. We will know peace, joy, and hope in our hearts when we choose life! If we choose we can keep the commandments!
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word. Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (17-18)
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. (33)
Amen!
Second Reading: First Corinthians 2: 6-10
If we believe, we can see HIM!
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (9-10)
Christ’s sent us the Holy Spirit after his ascension. When we turn inward to the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we are guided into all truth. Worldly knowledge can never match the wisdom that is revealed to us in the simplicity of our faith. When we seek to remain united with the Holy Trinity who dwells through the Holy Spirit within us; we are able to grasp what no human mind, however, intellectual could ever reason. We must remember we are after all created in the likeness and image of God and we can gaze upon His reflection here on earth.
Amen!
Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-37
Cast out from me O Lord, whatever is not from you!
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. (29-30)
The commandments set forth by Jesus Christ today seem to be almost impossible for us to follow. Yet we are called in discipleship to follow his precepts as He showed us how. We are urged to attempt with all our heart, mind, and strength to work on our choices. We show by our fruit, what we truly believe! The Spirit, who searches all things, knows our hearts. Our faith must now be put into practice!
Amen!
