Readings: Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Cor. 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37
God Created Us to Choose Him Always
1. Today’s first reading reminds us, “If you choose, you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before men are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” (Sirach 15:15-17). In Deuteronomy, God told the children of Israel that if they kept his commandment, they would enjoy a long life in the promised land. He reminded them that his command was not complex for them to observe but that it was something very near to them, “Already in your mouths and your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” (Deut. 30:14). In verse 15, he says: “Today I am giving you a choice between good and evil, between life and death.” He gave them a choice between God’s blessing and God’s curse. To stress the seriousness of their choice, God invites, in verse 19, heaven and earth to witness the choice they were to make.
2. The ability to choose what we want is God’s sacred gift to humanity. He gives us Free Will. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Nos. 1730 reminds us that “God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his actions. “God willed that man should be ‘left in the hand of his counsel,’ so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator, and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him.” The gift of Free Will should enable us to choose the path leading us to God. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. We have often deviated from God, choosing ourselves rather than our Creator. We have used this gift of freedom often to our detriment; to destroy and kill rather than to love, respect, and protect others. Yet, God still respects us and will never take that gift away from us.
3. Today’s readings remind us of God’s intention to give us free will. “The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man’s every deed. No one does he command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin.” Again, he reminds us, “If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him and walking in his ways and keeping his commandments, statutes, and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.” (Deut. 30:16). Our choices have repercussions and consequences; we are responsible for every choice. When we refuse to obey God’s Commandment, we do so to our detriment, and we will pay the price for it. “If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish…” (Deut.30:17-18). Though we have been given the gift of Free Will, we must necessarily choose what is right, always choosing wisely. We cannot afford to decide what is evil or what goes contrary to the will of God.
4. This brings us to today’s Gospel. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. We must not only obey the law but personalize and internalize it. God gave us the law for a purpose, to guide our way of life on earth and ensure a peaceful cohabitation with others. The law of the Lord is a guide to the right decision. Therefore, the law of Moses finds its completion in Jesus. Hence, he says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matt. 5:17). It is always in our best interest to obey the law of God. No wonder the Psalmist prays, “Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.” (Ps. 119:33-34).
5. The law of God, fulfilled in Christ, makes us morally strong, upright, and honest. It gives us the right disposition to live a life of integrity and enables us to be honest and sincere and always speak the truth. To this end, Mark Twain notes: “Speaking honestly is better. It takes a lot of stress out of our lives. If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything, but if you don’t tell the truth, you have to remember what you said.” Proverbs 10:9 stresses this point thus, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Herein lies the punishment for those who make bad decisions and do not obey the law of love.
6. The choice that we make places an obligation on us. If we make good and positive choices, we reap a bountiful benefit, but if we make bad choices, we will undoubtedly end up with harmful consequences. We must choose to forgive those who hurt us or be stuck with the toxic feeling of hatred each time we see the object of our apprehension. Christ wants to spare us this, so he instructs us to tread the path of reconciliation. He gives us simple rules or a manifesto of his kingdom – the beatitudes. He warns, “I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Let us pray, once again, with the Psalmist: “Be good to your servant, that I may live and keep your words. Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law.” Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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