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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
January 18, 2025
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Ordinary Time

For a large part of the liturgical year, we devote ourselves to listening to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolded as we seek God's truth and understanding.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I : Sirach 15:15-20

Human beings have free will. The Law is a gift from God.

  • Sirach was written very late in Old Testament times.
  • The author of Sirach lived in a cosmopolitan, pagan community that did not support his religious values.
  • He asserts that we are responsible for keeping God's law regardless of the prevailing culture.

Reading II : 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Happy are they that follow the Law of the Lord.

  • God's law is contrasted to prevailing culture.
  • Following Christ in radical obedience was the true wisdom of the Christian.
  • The reward of radical obedience was beyond all human imagination.

Gospel : Matthew 5:17-37 or Matthew 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37

The Law is God’s gift of life. The holiness of Jesus’ followers is a choice of life.

  • Jesus gave six examples of how to follow the Law. Four of them are read in this Sunday's Gospel.
  • He declared that the sin really begins with the decision, before the action is taken.
  • The Law is God's gift of life. The wholeness of Jesus' followers is a choice of life.