Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
There are many out there who believe the Catholic Church to be an institution for the mere purpose of laying down many, many rules. “Do this with your life, and do not do that.” Today’s readings point to a different reality, however. The first reading points out that “if you choose, you can keep the commandments, they will save you.” Although the law itself has no saving power, for that is God’s alone, the Lord has put down precepts for us to freely choose. If we but choose to follow His commands, as articulated by the Church, we will choose to accept the salvation that He offers.
God does not want to oppress us by making us act slavishly in following His wishes, but rather, He knows us and wants what is good for us. It is similar to a doctor telling us how to be healthy; he doesn’t just make it up, but rather he realizes that some things are good for us while other things are not. Sin is not good for us, and God makes that clear.
What is more, however, is that God does not teach us how to act so that we can just go to heaven. He teaches us how to act in a way that is good for us and pleasing for us. His precepts are provided for our beatitude, our happiness. “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.” God not only commands what is good for us, but He commands what will ultimately make us happy. Jesus does not abolish the law, but fulfills it. Because of His intense, burning love for you, He has come to not only destroy sin, but also our love for sin, freeing us from the obstacles to our own happiness and salvation found in His goodness.
Reflection by Garrett, seminarian
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections