{"id":6000,"date":"2014-02-21T21:01:15","date_gmt":"2014-02-21T21:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stbedesclaytongreen.co.uk\/?p=6000"},"modified":"2014-02-21T21:01:16","modified_gmt":"2014-02-21T21:01:16","slug":"healthy-reformation-6th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-16-02-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stbedesclaytongreen.co.uk\/?p=6000","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Reformation 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (16.02.14)"},"content":{"rendered":"

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (16.02.14)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Healthy Reformation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reformers come in all shapes and sizes. At one stage we may be drawn to one and repulsed by another but, later, find we have changed allegiances! Recognition of a need for rectification is at the heart of true reform. It can be compared to the difference between \u2018true north\u2019 as opposed to the \u2018magnetic north\u2019. The deviation between the two is in response the earth\u2019s magnetic field that deviates over time and from place to place because the earth\u2019s magnetic poles are not fixed in relation to the earth\u2019s axis. Innately, we have a desire to know the truth, to know what is right. This unerring yearning drives us, to a greater or lesser degree, throughout our life. At our creation, God implanted us with a bearing of \u2018true north\u2019. Later, God\u2019s enemy and ours, Satan, exposed us to a false or \u2018magnetic north\u2019. God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the deception and restore us to a \u2018true north\u2019 focus.<\/p>\n

If we choose to allow Jesus to fulfil his heavenly Father\u2019s will in us, several factors have to be in place. We need to be aware of deviations that have corrupted our total adherence to God\u2019s will. Then, we must freely choose to take the reformation pathway indicated by Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This continuous redirection\/renewal of our will \u2013 supported by Holy Communion and by the celebration of \u2018Reconciliation\u2019 \u2013 involves daily prayer and self-denial. We also need to be constantly on our guard. Satan will never tire of attempting to cause us to deviate, little by little, back to his \u2018false north\u2019. Our safest place to be for this lifelong battle is to be united with Jesus and within the community of the Church. The more separated we are from communion and the community, the more at risk we are of being picked off, at random, by Satan.<\/p>\n

The Matthew (5:17-37) Gospel for this 6th\u00a0Sunday of the Year presents us with a helpful if challenging checklist. The following are some, but by no means exhaustive, reflections on this Gospel.<\/p>\n