Not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished

Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20, 2 Cor. 2:6-10, Mt. 5:17-37.
On this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on the law of Christ. In today’s first reading, God presents us with two options, “life and death.” In other words, He gives us the freedom to choose: “If you wish, keep His commandments…" God makes it clear that whatever choice we make in life has its consequences. If we choose to obey His laws, we shall be happy. However, if we make the wrong choice, we shall also reap its fruit. In the second reading, Paul refers to the law of Christ as wisdom. It is a mark of wisdom to live by the Law of Christ. Today’s Gospel affirms that Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies: “I have not to come to abolish the Law; but to fulfil it.” Christ is not abolishing the Law but demands a more perfect, sincere, fulfillment of them.

The whole moral value of any legal observance, comes from the interior disposition of him who observes or keeps the law. Avoiding murder therefore, is not enough; the true Christian must remove any inclination to murder by building up true brotherly love for everyone in his heart. We must not only injure our neighbour but must be ever ready to prevent injury, whenever and wherever we can. We must not only commit adultery, but must also develop a Christian respect and esteem for purity, the virtue which will preserve us not only from adultery but even from thoughts of impurity. We must be truthful always and be accountable for our words. The prohibition against taking oaths is both a warning to take the name of God seriously and an appeal for an attitude of truthfulness such that, oaths are not necessary. When we call on God to witness to our sincerity, it is because we take neither God's holiness nor the weight of our words seriously. We should speak the truth at all times and not only when our speech is guaranteed by an oath. True and loyal service of God therefore begins in the heart and has its value from this interior disposition.

May the Lord help us to be grateful to God in our obedient and loyalty to Him! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!