Reflection on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

These readings remind us of the freedom we have, the freedom to choose and to make right choices and be in right relationship with God, others and with creation. In the first reading we see some things laid out in fairly black-and-white terms. Choose to follow the commandments and to follow God. Sometimes those were life-and-death decisions. We know that throughout the Old Testament the Israelites faced other groups with different religious practices who also sought to control territory and other people. There were many occupying forces who wanted people to worship their gods and follow their practices. It raises the question of intent and desire, internal beliefs versus external actions. Was it OK to love and follow God in your heart and mind and practice your faith in private while, at the same time, trying to appease an occupying force by appearing to practice some of their religious rituals?  It is human nature to want to survive, and martyrdom is a very difficult choice if other options are present. Is this an example of someone taking license to sin? 

And then the first reading says that God sets before us life and death, good and evil, and fire and water. Those are not so black and white at times. We live in a time when technology can keep a body alive, but does God ask us to use every means available to prolong life? Good and evil can get complicated. At times we speak of the greater good and the lesser of two evils. What does it mean when I go to the polls and make a choice for a candidate that I don’t think is a good choice, because it is a better choice than the alternative? What does it mean when I don’t make the effort to be reconciled with someone? We have all heard the expression that “not to choose is a choice; not to decide is a decision.” And, in the final example listed in this reading, fire and water, we know that they possess the possibility to be good and terrifying. If you are cold, fire can be a lifesaver. If our house is on fire, it can be deadly. And the same is true for water. Water to drink, water to cook with and running water are all life-giving uses for water. Hurricanes, torrential rains and floods are devastating and sometimes fatal encounters with water. So fire and water are not opposites, and perhaps the other pairings of life and death and good and evil are not so clearly opposites either.

We know that God knows what is in our hearts and minds every day. We know that Jesus does not want us to be like the scribes and Pharisees, who did a lot for show; made sure their religious practices were done in very public ways so everyone could see them following the law and admire them as good examples. But, at the same time, the Pharisees were thinking of ways to maintain power and control over people. I imagine they are like so many people with power throughout time who have a real desire and intent to hold on to power and increase their power. The desire to serve people can be lost in the desire, intent and need to hold on to power. That desire, that need calls for different choices to ensure success; choices that often do not serve God’s people or conform to the commandments. We are surrounded by such examples in our world today, including people of faith. We also know how anger and fear can alter our intentions and our decisions. That is why we are reminded not to be afraid so often in the Gospels.

When we get to the Gospel, I think we find Jesus counseling us to pay attention to our intent and desires. If our intent to serve is influenced by our natural desire to have things “our way,”  our choices and decisions will be impacted. If our desire to serve is influenced by a sense that we need more control to do this good work, our choices and decisions will be impacted. Honestly examining our internal realities will help us to maintain fidelity to the Gospel. Maintaining an open, listening stance in our prayer life will help us see more clearly. Perhaps we will “see what eye has not seen and ear has not heard” in our daily living when we turn it over to God in prayer. 

I remember a time when I was on retreat and the walls seemed to be closing in on me one night. I don’t know what I was wrestling with at that time, but I could not sleep and I was restless. At about 4 in the morning, I went outside in the dark and sat on a bench. I decided to stay there until the sun came up. My intent was not to go back to that dark room since sleep evaded me. I was sure things would be better once daylight arrived. I sat there with my eyes closed thinking about whatever was on my mind. I thought it was taking a long time for the sun to rise. It was taking a long time because I was facing west and did not see the sun rise. I only felt the sun on my back when it was high enough. I am sure God enjoyed my antics. It seemed clear that I was too focused on the sunrise being what I desired most, and that being the solution to my sleeplessness.

And the final lines in the Gospel call forth images of Ann Pat Ware when I hear the sentence “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” Ann Pat was a firm believer in speaking your truth, speaking truth to power and speaking up against injustice. She never liked an internal system that watered down a value or belief in order to appease someone. She seemed very aware of Jesus’ admonition to monitor our intentions and desires, and she reminded others of us to do the same. 

It is a fine line to walk for us. We want to be considerate, kind and compassionate and be honest at the same time. We don’t often want to be brutally honest with those we respect or care about, nor do we want to compromise or conceal our own values and beliefs. We don’t want to cut off communication with friends and family members who feel differently. 

The art of dialogue that is open, honest and inviting is a much-needed skill that requires practice and review. It is like any other skill that needs to be developed. I find that when I can anticipate and prepare for a conversation, I can be more honest and respectful. If I am surprised by the conversation, I sometimes fail to respond because I am concerned that it is not a thoughtful response. There are times when I am very unhappy with myself when that happens. And it seems even more difficult to go back to someone and try to pick up where we left off. I often hope that I will be prepared when the next opportunity presents itself. Hopefully with each new sunrise, we will make the best use of every opportunity to speak the truth, to be honest with others and to keep the dialogue going