Law and Commandments

My dear Friends in Christ,

On this 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the focus of the readings is on the law and commandments. The First Reading tells us to choose life by obeying God’s commandments. The Second Reading reminds us that God’s wisdom is far greater than our own. And in the Gospel Jesus tells us He has come to fulfill the law, not to abolish it. Laws, rules, and regulations are very valuable. We observe laws because we fear the consequences of violating them. Jesus is looking for something far deeper than legal observances. He wants us to be motivated by love, to live loving lives, to care for and give unselfishly to others and to our Father in heaven. This is a way of living that no law can impose on us. Bishop Barron offers: “Although this way of living is very demanding, it is rewarding to know that God so respects our freedom. He will give us what we choose and, more to it, we will become what we choose. Each day, every moment, choose the path of love, and you will become the kind of person fit to live in heaven.”

We are approaching the Holy Season of Lent. There will be Scripture Study on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. Please see the bulletin for details.

Beginning Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the parish communities of Corpus Christi, St. Katharine Drexel, and Mary, Mother of the Church will present Soup & Scripture. The meetings will take place at each parish at 12:30 PM for 5 consecutive Wednesdays. The focus will be on the Eucharist. More details in next week’s bulletin.

May God Bless You All,

Father John