Sunday Reflections - SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A

 LIGHT FOR THE LIVING

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A

(Sirach 15:15–20; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37)

My beloved in Christ,

In Umuezegwu community in Imo State, there once lived a palm wine tapper called Okenna. Okenna had one weakness—he never liked to decide quickly. If two paths led to the farm, he would stand in the middle scratching his head until the sun rose high. One day, while going to tap palm wine, he reached a junction. One path was clear and smooth; the other was bushy but shorter.

Villagers warned him,
“Okenna, choose wisely!”

Instead of deciding, he stood there arguing with himself until goats began passing him. Finally, in frustration, he said,
“Let my legs choose.”

He stepped carelessly into the bushy path, slipped into a muddy ditch, and returned home covered in shame—and mud.

The elders laughed and said,
“A man who refuses to choose has already chosen.”

 

Freedom to Choose

That village lesson mirrors today’s First Reading from Sirach:

“If you choose you can keep the commandments; they will save you.”
(Sirach 15:15)

And the Scripture continues:

“Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him.”
(Sirach 15:17)

God does not force righteousness upon us. He grants us freedom. But freedom carries responsibility. We cannot blame destiny for choices we freely make.

 

Beyond External Religion

In the Gospel, Jesus Christ deepens the meaning of the law:

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Matthew 5:17)

He then challenges the superficial religiosity of the Pharisees:

“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:20)

Jesus insists that obedience is not merely external. It is interior. Not only murder is wrong—anger destroys. Not only adultery is wrong—lust corrupts the heart. Not only false oath is wrong—let your “Yes” mean yes and your “No” mean no (cf. Matthew 5:21–37).

In other words, attitude matters.

 

God’s Wisdom, Not Human Cleverness

Saint Paul reminds us:

“We speak a wisdom of God, mysterious, hidden.”
(1 Corinthians 2:7)

This wisdom is not about appearing religious. It is about allowing God to transform our thinking so that we consistently choose life.

 

Life or Death?

Back in Umuezegwu, Okenna eventually learned something: the problem was not the road; it was his refusal to decide wisely.

Many Christians want heaven but flirt with sin. We want blessing but hold on to resentment. We want life but entertain deathly attitudes.

The question is not whether the path exists. The question is: Which path are you choosing?

 

Sunday Reflection

My beloved,
Your choice determines your attitude and actions towards life. We have been given the freedom to choose life or death, to live like the Pharisees and Scribes or not.

Jesus insisted that our thoughts and attitudes are very important in keeping the law. St. Paul encourages us to embrace God's wisdom which enables us to choose life and have the right attitude in keeping God's commandments.

Is it life or death you have chosen?

May God bless you as you choose wisely.

Happy Sunday.

Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ibearugbulem, C.S.Sp