6th Sunday Ordinary Time - Year A

God summons us to a radical way of living.  We are called to be more than just moral: God invites us to be virtuous.  We become virtuous by habitually choosing to do good.  Naturally, we are not perfect, but God call us to reflect on how we live and to understand what has gone right and wrong for us.  Such reflection can lead us to insight that will help us to live better – be virtuous – in the future.  Therefore, by reflecting on our experiences in the light of our faith, we grow in wisdom.

Sirach (1st reading 15:15-20) affirms that God knows every human action; Paul reminds us that God has many riches for those who love him; and Jesus, in Matthew’s Gospel (5:17-37), says that he has come not to abolish but to fulfill the law and the Prophets.  What we see clearly in the readings today is that there are repercussions, consequences – good or bad – for all our actions.  Our challenge is to avoid the opportunities  that do harm and to choose what directs us to God.

Sirach, the Psalmist, Paul and Jesus embraced this way of life; they are examples of how it is possible for us to become virtuous and wise.  If we take to heart their messages from the readings this Sunday, we too, like them, will be true beacons of virtue – people of faith, hope and love.

COUNTDOWN FOR LENT

Ash Wednesday is coming!  Lent begins next week on Wednesday February 22.   The ashes that will be used to mark the beginning of Lent come from the branched blessed and distributed on Passion Sunday.

Lent is a time of repentance, change of heart and prayer. 

Penance  - Lent is a time for penance and repentance, for almsgiving and prayer, for working to change attitudes that are not pleasing to God. 

Fasting - Fasting is the minimal obligatory practice we do during the Season of Lent. All persons over 14 years of age are bound to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. All persons 18-59 are obliged to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals may be light.  Other Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence from meat but Catholics may substitute special acts of charity or piety on this day.

Confession - Many Catholics go to confession during Advent and Lent to help renew themselves. Going to confession during Lent is an excellent way to prepare for Easter and get off to a fresh beginning.