Ordinary Time

February 7, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Sirach 15:15-20
If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
   and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
He has placed before you fire and water;
   stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
Before each person are life and death,
   and whichever one chooses will be given.
For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
   he is mighty in power and sees everything;
his eyes are on those who fear him,
   and he knows every human action.
He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
   and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

The first phase of this scripture hit me square in the face, not so much about the Ten Commandments but more about choosing to do right in general. I guess that many of us were taught to do the basic Commandments before we started school. Loving God was a given, and we prayed at each meal to share our love and thanksgiving. Lying was definitely forbidden in my home; honoring our parents was important, as was not envying others, not stealing, and definitely not taking God’s name in vain. Honoring the Sabbath meant we showed up and fully participated at the church every time it was open, and only the very necessary work was done, like feeding the cows on Sunday. We had to grow a little older to understand idols and adultery.

Are we not called to do what is right, what is just in all aspects of our lives? There is no way we could write a book that included all the instances to tell how to do right in all situations. So, besides these universal Commandments, we are provided other sage advice to guide us in making the right decision. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12) Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) I think one of our problems with that one is we actually may be loving others as we love ourselves; we may not love ourselves. There is even help for that. We must learn to forgive ourselves as God forgives us. Once we realize we have sinned, we must do all we can to set it right, but then we must forgive ourselves and grow from the experience.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the broadness of your love as we grow in your wisdom and truth. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.