February 12, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 12, 2016

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sirach 15:15–20; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37

I remember this conversation between a young boy and his mom. The boy asked a question: “Mom, what are the 10 commandments?” The mother replied, “They are the instructions or commands of God to us.” Her son said, “So you are higher than God then.” The mother said “Why?” The son replied, “Because God has only 10 commandments and you have more commandments than God.”

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the importance of keeping God’s commandments. When we are before a command, we usually feel that our freedom is restricted. We can’t just do what we want to do. But do God’s commandments really restrict our freedom? What do our readings for today tell us about the relationship between God’s commandment and human freedom?

Let us reflect on this in three points:

HUMAN FREEDOM IS A GIFT FROM THE LORD. God created us as free human beings. The sad thing is that sometimes we can use this freedom against God. That is why Sirach in first reading reminds us to obey God’s commandments - to use our freedom to be loyal to God. Why? Because the choice to obey or disobey God’s commandments is a matter of life and death. It is different from simply choosing what color of clothes will I wear today. It is different from simply choosing what kind of food will I eat today. If the choice we have to make is between fidelity and disloyalty to God, it is not just a simple choice. It is a matter of choosing between life and death. If we want to choose life, we will use our freedom to be faithful to God and to be loyal to Him. God will not ask us to do something that will be harmful for us. Choosing to obey God’s commandments will always be for our own good.

TRUE FREEDOM IS NOT THE SAME AS LICENTIOUSNESS.  Licentiousness here means freedom to do anything we want. Isn’t it that if we have a driver’s license, it gives us the permit and right to drive. True freedom is not a license to just do what we want. That is what we call abuse of freedom.  That is what Paul refers to in the second reading as the wisdom of the world. What will help us purify our freedom? Paul also says, the Holy Spirit purifies our use of human freedom. It is not enough that we have freedom. Freedom that has been touched and purified by the HS is what we need to pursue the wisdom of God and be faithful in observing his commandments.

TRUE FREEDOM IS FOUND IN OBEYING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS.  True freedom means freeing our heart from anything that enslaves us to disobey God’s commandments. Jesus in the gospel says external observance of law is not a guarantee that we are free in obeying God’s commandments. For example, the commandment “Thou shall not commit adultery.” Many people will say, “I am a faithful spouse to my partner. I am not guilty of adultery.” But Jesus says: “Wait a minute. Look at what happens in your heart. If a man looks lustfully at a woman, adultery has already begun in one’s heart”.  A heart enslaved by lust is already committing adultery. Another example is about making promises. Many people during oath taking will promise many things. But Jesus says, it is not just the external oath taking. It is about what is in your heart. If you mean yes, say yes If you mean no, say no.  

Are our hearts really free in obeying God’s commandments? Let us pray in this mass for the grace to exercise our freedom responsibly. Human freedom is a gift from the Lord. True freedom is not the same as licentiousness. True freedom is found in obeying God’s commandments.  Amen.