12 February 2023 - Epiphany 6

 

Theme

This week’s readings remind us that human beings have choices to make and they have to live with the consequences of those choices. The authors of Deuteronomy and Sirach speak about the choice between life and death. What we choose we will be given. Paul urges the Corinthians to put their trust in God and not a human leader. In Matthew, Jesus reveals the shortcomings of the Law and urges his followers to consider the way they choose to live their lives.

Scripture Readings

  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - God gives the Israelites a choice between life and death, prosperity and disaster. He warns them that if they turn away and worship other gods, they will be destroyed. He encourages them to choose life by loving and obeying the Lord, which will lead to a long life in the land He promised their ancestors.
  • Psalm 119:1-8 - People of integrity who follow the Lord's instructions and obey His laws, not compromising with evil and walking in His paths, are joyful. God has charged us to keep His commandments carefully, and if we do, we will not be ashamed and will thank Him by living as we should.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 - The Corinthian church has been squabbling about which leader is correct - Paul or Apollos. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their need to be aware of their sinful nature, and encourages them to look to God for help in their spiritual growth. He reminds them that God is the one who plants the seed, and will reward them for the hard work and effort that they put in to nurture that seed, so that it will grow and flourish.
  • Matthew 5:21-37 - “You have heard it said.” Jesus teaches that even anger, name-calling, and cursing are subject to judgment, and encourages people to reconcile with those they have wronged in order to make peace with God. Lustful thoughts are the same as adultery, and that it is better to lose a part of the body than to be thrown into hell for committing such a sin. A man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. Jesus warns against making vows, telling his followers to simply say yes or no when asked to do something, as anything beyond this is from the evil one.
  • Sirach 15:15-20 - God has given us the choice between fire and water, life and death. What we choose will be given. God has not given anyone permission to sin. He is wise and powerful, and sees everything, and His eyes are on those who fear Him.

Personal Application

We are all faced with hundreds of decisions every day. From menial tasks like deciding what time to wake up and choosing what to wear to more influential decisions like choosing how to respond to the slow cashier or the person who cuts us off in traffic. Every decision we make will have a consequence. Some will be more impactful than others.

Our readings for this week remind us that our choices matter. The choices that lead to life will bring life. The choices that lead to death will bring death. Some might refer to this line of thought as Karma, but it is certainly a biblical principle often referred to as the Deuteronomistic Principle. Perhaps this principle is less about The Universe giving everyone what they deserve, but the teaching that all of our actions will have appropriate consequences that we will have to face and deal with.

As you consider every choice you have to make today, ask yourself which decision will lead to life and which will lead to death, for yourself, for others, and for the environment.

Communal Application

Jesus taught that following the law isn’t about strictly following every rule to the book, but understanding the heart behind the law. Jesus understood that people could still perpetuate evil by technically following all of the rules. For example, men were divorcing their wives for no justifiable reason; people were harming each other, even though they never actually murdered anyone; etc.

It is much more important to understand why a rule was made in the first place and then determine how that influences all of the other choices that we make every day. For example, we should not commit adultery because it harms other people and damages our understanding of the image of God (Imago Dei) within them, as does lusting after them; we should not make vows using God’s name because it implies that our other promises are less trustworthy.

Are we living authentically and perpetuating goodness and love in all areas of our life? Or are we merely trying to follow a list of rules that were given to us by a pastor, church or parent without understanding why we are doing so in the first place?

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