February 16, 2014 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sir 15: 15-20; Ps 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Cor 2: 6-10; Mt 5: 17-37
The first reading from the Book of Sirach prompts us to remember an important stewardship fact. Sirach writes, “If you choose, you can keep the commandments; they will save you.” The point is that God has granted us free will. The Lord has given us choices.
As much as we speak about stewardship and as much as we point out the importance of living life with stewardship at its core, we all understand that what we do and how we do it is a matter of choice. It is one of those many choices we must make. From the perspective of our Catholic faith, it is a way to respond to Jesus’ call to us to pursue holiness.
Today’s second reading from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians contains one of the most eloquent descriptions of what is to come, the reward for living a God-centered and faith-filled life: “Eye has not seen… ear has not heard… what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:8) In other words the glory of salvation is beyond our imaginations. Free will is something gifted to us in this life. However, choosing the right path, choosing the right ways to love others, pursuing stewardship, although an option, is a vital way to live and to do what God wishes us to do.
