Homily for 6 Epiphany A, February 13, 2011

My sisters and brothers, one day the Devil challenged God to a baseball game.

Smiling God proclaimed, "You don't have a chance, I have Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and all the greatest players up here."

"Yes," snickered the devil, "but I have all the umpires!"

Today our lessons present us with the question of choosing sides. Will we choose God or not?

Our first lesson from Ecclesiasticus (also called Sirach) reminds us that God has created us each with the freedom to choose our path in life. Further, God gives us guidance as to the consequences of that fundamental choice. We will not force us to be good but we will not be shield from the consequences of our misdeeds either. CHOOSE WISELY!

In the Old Testaments we see different perspectives on what causes a person to commit evil. Some imply that God causes a person to sin: God “hardened Pharaoh’s heart” in Exodus 11:10 and in 2 Samuel 24:1 God “incited David” to count how many subjects he has – out of pride.

However, Sirach disagrees: in no way can God be held responsible for human sinfulness. God not only hates evil but he even preserves the godly person from committing it. He says that God “left them in the power of their own free choice” (or inclination). This is what many Christian authors call the “Fundamental Option”; choosing for God or against God and dealing with the results.

Earlier we heard Paul address the divisions in the church at Corinth. Raising the issue that some follow particular leaders of the community rather than Christ. Now he addresses the criticism that he oversimplifying the good news. The very “jealousy and quarreling” the Corinthians are involved in demonstrates that they are still only earthly minded and not ready for the full spiritual teaching.

Paul goes on to say: It is natural to be attached to the person who welcomed you into the church, but you need to recognize that they are all “servants” of Christ. Each has a distinct function in bringing you to faith. Paul founded the church at Corinth (planted); Apollos nurtured faith (watered) in the community; but it is God who causes spirituality and faith to grow. He and Apollos have the same objective - serving Christ!

In our Gospel reading we heard Jesus use exaggeration to call his followers to be dedicated to virtue.

Each of Jesus’ expansions of the Law begins with: you have heard it was said. He then quotes a law. The expression “Ancient times” refers to the days of Moses. The Ten Commandments forbid the act of murder; Jesus extends this law to include propensities to violent conflict. He calls his followers to be people of reconciliation.

Further Jesus points out that God looks for purity of thought and desire not just sexual behavior. In short, we are to pursue virtue in our daily lives with great dedication and thoroughness. Rather than simply following the rules.

My brothers and sisters, both Sirach and Jesus urge us to CHOOSE a virtuous way of life. The first with poetic imagery and the second with dramatic exaggeration.

Most of us are deeply aware that (in the real world) there are consequences for any choice and action. Some rather neutral, some very bad and others very good. Our fundamental choice in life is to live for or against God. In classical Christian writing this is often spoke of as the “fundamental option.”

We generally know the consequences of our choices and actions. Unethical behavior will cost us the loss of friends, family and probably even our freedom - if one goes as far as a life of crime. Today’s readings are about reminding us that there is also spiritual and eternal set of consequence to our fundamental option. Choosing to disregard God is to choose to estrange our selves from our maker, who will allow us to do just that. And, allow us to suffer the consequences; eternal estrangement from God. On the other hand, choosing for God, leads us in the opposite direction and most eternally rewarding direction.

Let us choose wisely!