Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,
 
Today is the Lord’s Day and the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the first lection from the Old Testament Book of Sirach we hear the words: “ If you CHOOSE you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live…Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he CHOOSES shall be given him.” The Old Testament author is reminding us that the Lord God has given us the gift of FREE WILL, we can choose and God does not interfere. The Lord desires us to make choices which will keep us close to Him but unfortunately many times we make choices which separate ourselves from Him who is all-good. The laws of God, the Commandments, have been given to us as a sign of our committed relationship of love with our Creator. These precepts are not burdensome but rather are liberating, freeing us to live our lives in accord with the Lord’s design.
 
The wise man, the wise woman, who follows the dictates of the Lord are held in esteem by the Lord for the Psalmist says, “Blessed are they who follow the Law of the Lord.” In today’s Gospel the Lord Jesus speaks to His listeners regarding the laws of God. He reaffirms the integrity and sacredness of God’s Laws and admonishes all to regard them as life-giving. He says that violating God’s Laws bring destruction to one’s life. Choose instead to follow the way which leads to eternal life!
 
Among the concerns addressed in the Commandments is the union between one man and one woman in the holy ordinance of matrimony. Jesus speaks to this covenant which results from the choice made between and man and a women to be joined together for life. This choice comes as a result of their love for one another. In saying YES to marriage, they make a commitment to be true to each other for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death.
 
Unfortunately many today choose not to make a commitment, not to truly love! Many just make the choice to live together, seeing the other in a relationship which can be quickly discarded. Yes, COMMITMENT is what is lacking today. This is the reason why vocations to not only marriage but also to religious life and the priesthood are down. The Lord is asking us to choose love, love which is demonstrated in our keeping His commandments, our choice to live in relationship with God.
 
As we commemorate WORLD MARRIAGE DAY this weekend, I conclude by briefly speaking about the newly published RITE OF MARRIAGE which has been released for use by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I just bring one point to your attention and it is this, the text includes a rite for the Blessing of an Engaged Couple. This betrothal ceremony is new and can be done in church when a couple has become engaged. This is a very ancient rite within the Church and which has always been present within the Eastern Churches. I am hoping that YOU might help me in making this engagement blessing a common occurrence within our parish by telling your children and other family members about it. What a wonderful way to announce and begin life together. My prayers and best wishes to all married couples and to all those newly engaged!
 
God bless you,
Father Zig