The readings presented to us on this day, invites us in a very special way to embrace the wisdom of God which is beyond human understanding; and will lead us to eternal life. The 1st reading from the book of Sirach, points out the fact that God never forces us to go against our personal wish. He gives us the opportunity for us to make our choices in life, and we should also be responsible for the choices we have made; whether good or bad at the end. It takes the wisdom of God for us to make choices that are in line with the plans of God concerning our life, at different stages in our life. If we are able to achieve this fact in our life, you can be rest assured that we will be attracting the blessings of God to ourselves. We will call upon God in times of challenges and difficulties of life and he will answer us. Our petitions will become prayer answered; because we are living a life that is pleasing in the sight of God.

The assertion from the 1st reading of today becomes more meaningful to us if we take seriously the admonition of St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians in today’s 2nd reading. It is an invitation for us to pray for the wisdom of God, which is beyond human understanding. When we have the wisdom of God as against the wisdom of the world, it will be easier for us to live a life that is pleasing in the sight of God. We become conscious of the choices we make in our life, and our choices are made with the fear of God. When this becomes the situation in our life, there is strong possibility that our life will reflect what Jesus is presenting to us in today’s gospel reading. Jesus is inviting us to a life that is rooted in love and promotes the imperatives of the gospel.

Jesus points out in today’s gospel that he did not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but rather to fulfil them. He is the fulfilment of the law and the prophets. The teaching of Jesus in today’s gospel challenges our call to discipleship. He presents to us a shift in paradigm. “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, you shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment ….”. Thus, Jesus is inviting us to embrace the new teaching that he is presenting to us and will lead us to eternal life. This new teaching that Jesus presents to us in the gospel, will bring about peace, joy, love, happiness, unity and a better world for all of us. It promotes a life that is deeply rooted in love of God and neighbor.

Dear friends in Christ, our quest for the wisdom of God and authentic righteousness, will go a long way in helping us to realize what Jesus is presenting to us in the gospel. Keeping the commandments that Jesus sums up as love, will make all the difference and bring about the acceptance of the new teaching of Jesus in the Gospel. The question we have to ask ourselves today is, are we will to do and accept the change that will accompany the new teaching that Jesus is inviting us to embrace? This is different from the usual practice and may be seen as very difficult, but remember that with God all things are possible. What we need to do is to resolve to do our best and invite God to accompany us in our journey of faith. He will never disappoint all those who come to him with such a sincere request.

It is my prayer that God will grant us the grace to embrace this new teaching of Jesus that will impact positively on our life and the world at large. Peace be with you. Amen.

Homily for the 6th Sunday in the ordinary Time of the year A, by Fr. Jude Ifezime, C.S.Sp