Entrusted with Freedom

Homily: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Sirach 15:15–20 | 1 Corinthians 2:6–10 | Matthew 5:17–37

15 February 2026

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

Have you ever noticed how parents treat their children differently as they grow older? When children are small we grip their hands tightly when crossing the street. We practically watch their every step lest they fall or get lost. But when they grow older, something changes. Slowly the parent loosens their hold on their child. One day the parent says, “My child, you can do it now. You make the decision.” Not because they care less, but because they trust more. And that is love at its most mature — not to control, but to trust. 

This image helps us understand our readings today. In the Book of Sirach we hear, “If you choose, you can keep the commandments… Before you are life and death, good and evil, whichever you choose shall be given you” (Sirach 15:15, 17). It is as if God is saying, “My child, you will choose.” God does not force us to love Him. He does not program us like robots. Because love that is forced is not love at all. Love must be chosen. St. Paul tells us that this is a wisdom meant for the spiritually mature: “We speak a wisdom of God… revealed through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:7, 10). God is not raising slaves who obey out of fear. He is raising sons and daughters who understand and love. Obedience flows not from fear, but from love. 

In the Gospel Jesus adds more depth to the commandments. He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law… but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Then He adds, “You have heard… you shall not kill… but I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:21–22). And again, “You shall not commit adultery… but I say to you, everyone who looks with lust has already committed adultery in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28). Jesus is not adding more rules; He is moving the law from the outside to the inside, from behaviour to the heart. The truth is, anyone can follow rules when watched, but only a mature person chooses to do what is right even when no one sees. We need to recognise that the commandments are not chains. They are God’s loving directions toward life. 

Brothers and sisters, this movement from law to love also applies to how we give to God. In the Old Testament, tithing was required. The people were commanded to give one-tenth of their harvest: “Every tithe of the land… belongs to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30). It was clear, fixed, and obligatory. But when Jesus came, He did not simply compute percentages. He looked at the heart. Remember the poor widow in the temple. While others gave large amounts, she offered two small coins — almost just loose change, the only thing she had left, yet she gave it without hesitation — and Jesus said, “This poor widow has put in more than all the others… she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43–44). No forcing. No percentage. But her gift was total because it was free and loving. That is why in the Catholic Church, we do not force tithing. We invite. We teach stewardship. We encourage generosity. However, we do not demand like a fixed tax because God does not want forced giving. As St. Paul says, “God loves a cheerful giver!” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Freely given. From the heart. For love cannot be demanded nor collected like a bill; it can only be offered. 

What is forced is difficult because it goes against the freedom that the Lord has given us as a gift. Notice that this is also the principle of our Church when it comes to elections. The Church forms our conscience, teaches us what is true and good, but we do not practice block voting or force people whom to choose. Faith respects freedom. The Church guides, but the decision remains personal. Just like God, the Church says, “Pray. Discern. You will choose” As a vote forced by pressure, has no moral value. On the contrary, a choice made in conscience is an offering to God. Yes, this is both beautiful and frightening because freedom means responsibility. Every day we face Sirach’s words again: life or death, good or evil. No one will force us. God simply trusts us — to forgive, to be faithful, to be honest, and to love. 

Maybe, that is what touches me most today. The all-powerful God placing His hopes in our small, imperfect hearts. Like a parent saying, “My child, you can do it.” God holds our hand when we are weak, but as we grow, He slowly lets go and says, “I trust you to choose life.” Thus, today, let us ask ourselves quietly: What am I choosing lately? Does my freedom lead me closer to God or farther from Him?

In the end, our faith is not about control. It is about trust. God does not control us. He entrusts Himself to us. And when someone trusts us that much — when God Himself trusts you — the only beautiful response is this: “Lord, freely, willingly, with all my heart… I choose You.”