Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time [A]

 


SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A]


It’s 1936. Reporters are gathered around Max Schmeling. Soon he will be stepping into the ring to face an undefeated American named Joe Louis. The speculation is that he has taken this fight simply because it will earn him a considerable sum of money. After all, it’s not as if he has any real chance against his heavily favored opponent. And yet, even though nobody else is giving him a chance, Schmeling believes that he does have a chance against Louis. When asked to explain himself, he keeps repeating: I see something. Film clips of Louis in action have been made available to Max—and he’s certain that he sees something. 


What does he see? He sees a weakness. It’s a weakness that he will exploit as he scores one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. He will beat Louis and he will beat the odds. So, we know about Max and what he sees. Meanwhile, let’s consider the Lord’s vantage point. What does he see? He sees EVERYTHING, according to the Book of Sirach (15:19). If you want to narrow it down, we can say that he sees the sins you are committing. He likewise tracks your sins of omission. For that matter, he can detect your sinful attitudes, and your sinful disposition. He also knows when you are placing yourself in the near occasion of sin (see Matt. 5:21-30). 


God sees it all. To what purpose? When Max sees a weakness, he dedicates himself to exploiting that weakness. Will God exploit what it is that he sees? Is it all about arriving at an excuse so that he can send you to Gehenna (a Hebrew precursor to the Christian domain called Hell)? If that is what passes for the voice of wisdom, then it might be time to trade up. Perhaps you should subscribe to the wisdom that is being promoted by St. Paul (see 1st Cor. 2:6-13). He describes it as something deep and mysterious——a less obvious form of wisdom. It’s not concerned with threatening you. No, it’s a wisdom that brings liberation, or at least the offer of liberation. 


Yes, the Lord does pay attention to your sins. However, it’s not because he’s looking for an excuse to condemn you. Rather, he’s paying attention to your sins because they are an impediment; they impair you. Therefore, it is not just Max who sees something; God sees something. He sees where you have settled, and he sees where it is that you need to be. The Lord wants to help you. But he respects your freedom. He respects the fact that you possess the gift (curse?) of free will. Note how the word “choose” shows up three different times within that passage from Sirach. 


The Lord has the capacity to be your judge. Nevertheless, what he really wants is to be your liberator. Allow him to see more than just your sins. Show him that you are indeed ready to trade up. Demonstrate a spirit of heartfelt contrition (Ps. 51:19). In basic terms, choose wisely. Focus upon St. Paul and his brand of heavenly wisdom. 

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