Making Choices

Each Sunday, scripture meets us where we are. In the first reading, Sirach (15:15-20) reminds us that “God’s immense wisdom understands man’s every deed.” Also, that God’s commandments have the capacity to save those who keep them. But the choice is ours. We are free to choose life and death, good and evil.

The psalmist sings “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord,” but acknowledges that we often find difficulty making the right choices and asks for help and discernment in knowing the ways of God.

Saint Paul (1 Cor 2:6-10) reminds us in a glorious, poetic refrain echoing language from the prophet Isaiah (Is 64:3-4) that what God has prepared for us is greater than we can even imagine.  But it requires a level of spiritual maturity to understand that wisdom, which is sadly beyond the rulers of the age to comprehend.

The Gospel passage today (Mt 5:17-37) immediately follows the Sermon on the Mount. Following the Sermon Jesus turns to his disciples and asks them if they think this new understanding is an abandonment of the law.  He assures them it is not so.  To live out the Torah interpreted in this way is to practice a righteousness “surpassing that of the scribes and Pharisees.”

Jesus then continues with an underlying theme in the Beatitudes, saying that faith is not only about what we do on the outside, but about what we carry within. Anger, resentment, lust, and dishonesty matter because they shape who we are becoming. Jesus calls us toward reconciliation, truthfulness, and integrity.

Together, these readings remind us that holiness is lived out in daily choices.

1.What small choice has strengthened my faith recently.?

2. Where am I being asked to choose more carefully right now?

3. Each Sunday, scripture meets us where we are.  What in these readings speaks most to you today?