SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
12 FEBRUARY 2023
Saint
Matthew wrote his Gospel for Jewish Christians.
They would have understood why Jesus climbed the mountain. Moses had given his law on a mountain. Jesus
is the new Moses who gives the new law.
Two Sundays ago, we heard the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount with
the Beatitudes. Last Sunday, Jesus told
us that we could be salt and light in our dark and divided world if we live
those beatitudes. Today, he speaks of
the relationship between his new law of love and the Law of Moses.
He insists
that he has come not to abolish the law or the prophets. He has come to fulfill them. In fulfilling them, he sets a much higher
standard for his disciples. The Law of
Moses forbids murder. Jesus goes to the
root causes of murder – unhinged anger and resentment. The Law of Moses forbids adultery. Jesus goes to the root cause of adultery –
lust. The Law of Moses allows
divorce. Jesus sees the unfair treatment
of women who have no rights when her husband decides to divorce her. The Law of Moses demands that people swear by
an oath to tell the truth. Jesus insists
that we tell the truth in all circumstances.
Jesus
commands a sacrificial love from us who are his disciples. We call ourselves a
“stewardship parish,” because living stewardship as a way of life provides a
framework for living the new Law of Love. Faithful stewards set aside
significant amounts of time to thank the Lord for all that he has given us.
Faithful stewards set aside significant amounts of time to give themselves in
humble service. Faithful stewards set
aside a sacrificial amount of the treasure to provide financial support for the
broader community.
We renewed
our stewardship of prayer just before Advent.
We will renew our stewardship of service during the Easter Season. Today, we renew our stewardship of
sacrificial giving. Please take time to
pray over your commitment to sacrificial giving. We have done that as a parish. Drawing closer to paying off our debt, we
have decided to increase our parish tithe from 8½ % to 9%. Please listen to Deacon Harry Verhiley, as he
tells how his family has come to embrace this third leg of stewardship.
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