Looking at today’s readings, it seems to me there is a clear progression from the first reading to the psalm and then to the Gospel. The first reading tells us that God created us with free will; He has told us how to live, but the choice is ours. As I told my children as they were growing up, actions have consequences. My youngest daughter is also using that line with her kids…when my granddaughter does something she shouldn’t and then feels remorse, she says “I don’t want consequences!” Those are wise words from a four-year old child. The psalm acknowledges that while we may want to live as God instructed us, we are weak and need God’s help to do so. Jesus, in Matthew’s version of the Sermon on the Mount, gives further clarity; our thoughts matter as much as our actions. Anger, lust, jealousy, etc. are all sinful even if they are controlled such that we don’t act on them…our thoughts and our actions are in conflict with each other. It takes quiet, thoughtful, prayerful time to look at ourselves and identify the things that lead us to this unhappy state, and even more to help us overcome them. Turning to God as the psalmist says, and asking Him to ”Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart” is the way forward. This is a positive action, that will bear positive outcomes. Reflection by parishioner, John Ceglarek