READINGS FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A, SUNDAY, 12TH FEBRUARY, 2023
First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20
Psalm: 118
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-37
REFLECTION BY FR. CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
JESUS CHRIST, THE FULFILMENT OF THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Welcome to the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Reflecting on the readings of this Sunday, we are reminded of our choices. Within the context of this reflection, a choice can be described as “the range of different things from which a being can choose.”
Indeed, we face choices in our lives every day. Our expression of choice can be conscious and unconscious. Our choices may lead to reversible or irreversible outcomes, life or death.
This understanding of choice ties in well with what the Lord says in today’s First Reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. He says, “If you wish, you can keep the commandments, to behave faithfully is within your power. He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer. Man has life and death before him; whichever a man likes better will be given him.” (Ecclesiasticus 15:15-17)
I have being questioning what we really need to choose in order to find meaning in life. From today’s readings, I realise that we need to choose what is best in life. The best choice for us to find meaning in life is love. God is love. Jesus Christ is God. Hence, in choosing love, we fulfil the law and the prophets. Love is everything.
Put differently, Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the law and the prophets. Hence, in choosing to follow Jesus Christ who is love, we also fulfil the law and the prophets.
It is against this background that Jesus Christ instructs His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. He says: “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved.” (Matthew 5:17-18).
Jesus Christ clearly declares that, He has not come to abolish the law or the prophets rather He came to complete them. It means that Jesus Christ fulfilled and enlarged the law and the prophets.
In the same way, as followers of Jesus, we are called to enlarge, fulfil and embody the law of love through our prophetic role. We should make the law of love more profound, complete and fulfilled.
Jesus has given us a new vision that characterizes the lives of the people of the Kingdom. Jesus gave us an example to follow on how to fulfil the law in our lives. He summed up the laws of old and perfected them through his death on the cross. This is a new and radical vision of life anchored on love. That was the highest expression of love for humanity.
May our Lord Jesus Christ grant us His Spirit to enable us fulfil the law by loving our neighbours as He has loved us. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM