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A Reading from the Book of Sirach
Sir 15:15-20
God's wisdom tells us that we must be careful with statements often made by contemporary psychologists who try to do away with human responsibility for evil committed. A breakdown of authority in the family, the Church, and the state, resulting in a high rate of juvenile delinquency, might have something to do with a certain kind of psychology, taught for several decades.
This Bible passage does not deny that human beings need the grace of God to be good; neither does it disclaim determining circumstances that can lessen their subjective guilt. But as a whole, human freedom means that people can choose good and avoid evil. Certainly, we cannot make God responsible for evil in the world! If this world is in a bad state, it is people who have made it so!
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving. He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord hears the cry of the poor!
A Reading, From the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
1 Cor 2: 6-10
Nobody wants to be considered ignorant or lacking in understanding. Wisdom is a great asset. Paul speaks of a wisdom not of this age. It is a wisdom put on a higher level, since the wisdom of God is hidden in it. That wisdom, the insight of faith, may help us to make the right decisions in life.
We should pray that the Spirit may give us discernment in confused situations. And existing laws, reflecting what other people have done., could be guidelines to find out what the loving thing to do is in our life situations.
In the Gospel of Matthew
Mt 5:17-37
Jesus did not come to do away with the law, but to reinterpret it and raise it to a different level. Jesus stresses that we should pay attention not just to what is actually done, but also to the inner motive, which is known only to ourselves and to God.
It is principally this inner motive that constitutes our aversion from or conversion to God, and for which we will have to account. In strong Semitic language, Jesus draws, a black-versus-white picture. The idea is clear. God claims our whole selves in the entirety of love.
Newsy Notes
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Deacon Bob Brazier, CRE
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REMEMBER
"CONFIRMATION"
We will be having a 7th grade class confirmation meeting with
the 7th graders and material will be given to you that day on what we will be doing for the following year of confirmation, Sunday February 26th at 11:15 in the Faith Formation Room. Hope to see all of you there!
"Remember"
Our next 8th Grade Confirmation Class will be held in Faith Formation Room at 11:15 on March 19th
Address future PSR and Sacramental Preparation Questions to:
Deacon Bob Brazier at bbrazier@sttm.org
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