We only have one more Sunday in Ordinary time before Lent is upon us (Ash Wednesday is February 26).
We hear a lot about rules, laws, and commandments this weekend, and what is in store for us if we keep them or disobey them. We
have many great one-liners to reflect upon this week.
From the first reading: “to none does he give license to sin” (Sirach 15:20)
From the psalm: “Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart” (Ps. 119:34)
From the second reading: “what eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
From the Gospel: “Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black” or “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’. Anything else is from the evil one.”(Matthew 5)
Now to the music. The song at the preparation of the altar is easy. It’s text is taken directly from the second reading’s scripture
passage: “Eye Has Not Seen”. We cannot even imagine what God has prepared for us in Heaven – so great is His love for us.
At Communion, our first song “Give Us, O Lord” talks of how we are ‘seek[ing] to do Your will’. If we are following God’s rules and commandments, we will be seeking Him.
Make us one body bound by love in this holy feast…
Speak to our hearts, O Risen Lord, words that will burn within…
Teach us the mysteries of your reign where truth
and mercy meet…
Be in our prayer, be in our labor as we seek to do your will.
Our second Communion song, “Your Words are Spirit and Life,” speaks more about the rules and laws:
God’s law is perfect, refreshing the soul
God’s rule can be trusted: bringing us wisdom
God’ precepts keep us; their purpose is right
Living by God’s truth is holy and sure
Having rules or laws in today’s world is sometimes seen as a negative. Hopefully in today’s readings and music, we can see the positive aspect of having laws and of following them – life eternal is waiting for us.