6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our country, when we talk about politics or government, what we are usually talking about is law. Laws are the ways that we govern our society. Laws sometimes say that you are allowed to do something and sometimes they say that you are not allowed. Laws can protect you from someone else or they can force you to do something you don't want to do.

Our laws - from the laws of the city of St. Clairsville to the Constitution of the United States - were written by human beings - human beings trying to do the best they can, but human beings nonetheless. Even our best laws aren't perfect and they can be misused or abused in ways that do harm.

What we hear about in our readings today, though, is God's law; and God's law is something different. Rather than just governing a group of people, God's law is a universal truth - the commandments God gives us are the things we must do (or not do) in order to be the people He made us to be.

The Ten Commandments are a perfect example. Those commandments that Moses and the people of Israel received at Mt. Sinai taught them how they were to relate to God and how they were to relate to other people. It showed them what living in a covenant with God should look like.

We, too, are in a covenant with God, and as we heard in the Gospel today, those laws still matter for us. If we want to be Christians, disciples of Jesus Christ, then we must do more than just blindly follow rules - we must be people like Him, and we become like Him by following His commands.

In today's gospel, Jesus affirms the importance of the Old Testament and the Law. Throughout the gospels, His critics accused Him and His disciples of denying the Law, but in this passage Jesus not only says that they must obey the Law, but he fulfills it, calling them to an even greater holiness.

He speaks about four points from the old law and then tells us that we must aspire to something even greater.

First, "you shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment."

When we want to explain that we are pretty good people, the default phrase is usually, "I haven't killed anybody." Well no, we probably haven't physically murdered someone - but have we killed them in our heart? Have we let our anger at someone cause us to hate them? Do we hold grudges? Do we let bitterness poison a relationship? These things that we do in our hearts can be just as deadly to us as murder.

Next, "you shall not commit adultery."

It sounds pretty straightforward, but Jesus says that what we do in our hearts and minds matters just as much as what we do with the rest of our bodies.

Do we look at another person as simply an object for our own pleasure? Do we watch, read, or listen to things that lead our minds to lust, like the addictive drug of pornography? Do we let our eyes linger or our minds wander, not out of love, but just because it feels good? It should be clear to all of us that this invisible adultery can destroy a marriage or family just as much as the kind you can see.

Jesus continues from there to talk about divorce, which means he is telling us what he expects in marriage.

The law of Moses allowed for divorce, Jesus doesn't dispute that; but he says that His followers are called to something more. Our marriages are meant to be a complete gift of self from one person to another, not just a legal agreement. It's forever, and divorce can't change that.

If you are in a situation of divorce, or if you're not sure what your standing is with the Church because of a marriage issue, please come talk to us. Christian marriages are one of the most powerful witnesses that we give to the world.

Finally, "Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow."

At it's heart, this comes down to making sure that our words speak the truth.

Do we exaggerate? Do we lie to make ourselves look better or to avoid trouble? Do we gossip and allow our words to tear down someone's reputation? Speech, the ability to communicate, is a gift from God and is meant to be used for good - to speak truth and to share love.


These are challenging commands, but Jesus did not say following Him would be easy. As Pope Emeritus Benedict said, “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness...” God gives us the laws that we need to be holy. 

As we prepare at this Mass to renew our covenant with the Lord once again, let's also recommit ourselves to following His commands.