St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the sixth ordinary Sunday of year A. The first reading focuses on the role of keeping God’s law in our attempts to live a good life. The two surprising claims are that first, we choose to obey God’s commandments and second, we are reminded that God’s commandments have the capacity to save those who keep them. Though some think that it is impossible to keep God’s commands, we have the ability to follow with God’s help. What is our choice?

The second reading discusses how God’s wisdom is revealed to us in Christ. When we focus on Christ’s cross, we can recognize that God's mysterious, hidden wisdom entails choosing the ultimate good by doing God’s will above all else. St. Paul emphasizes the right choice and the right action, as the heart of human moral grandeur. Human wisdom distinguishes clearly between divinity and humanity. The Spirit of God living in us helps and guides us in choosing and doing God’s will.

The Gospel highlights some fundamental and general principles of God’s law. God’s law is to be fulfilled, obeyed and taught to others to do likewise. The examples of commandments not to kill or to avoid adultery, exhorts to avoid the wrong interior disposition and internal promptings at odds, which contradicts God’s intention behind the law. By His teachings the Lord instructs us to develop a reputation for unfailing honesty and directs us towards bringing about the greater good. How do we follow God’s commands?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony