15/02/2026
INVESTITURE OF 12 SEMINARIANS
HOMILY OF ARCHBISHOP ABET | 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Sirach 15:15–20 • 1 Corinthians 2:6–10 • Matthew 5:17–37
One of the most dangerous illusions in the spiritual life—especially in seminary—is the idea that holiness is simply about not breaking the rules.
Today’s readings gently but firmly dismantle that illusion.
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1. Freedom Is Real—and So Is Responsibility (Sirach 15:15–20)
In the first reading, Sirach clearly delivers God’s message: “If you choose, you can keep the commandments.”
Notice: if you choose.
God does not force holiness. He does not manipulate obedience. He places before us fire and water, life and death, and then—almost shockingly—He respects our freedom.
For seminarians, this is important.
You are NOT here because God is trapping you into priesthood. You are here because, day after day, you are choosing to respond.
But freedom also means responsibility. We cannot blame formation, community, rules, or superiors for our moral choices.
Sirach reminds us: God does not command anyone to sin. But neither does He shield us from the consequences of our decisions.
Formation, therefore, is not about producing law-abiding men—it is about forming free men who choose the good.
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2. The Wisdom of God Is Deeper Than Intelligence (1 Corinthians 2:6–10)
St. Paul, in the second reading, speaks of a wisdom that is “not of this age.”
You are college seminarians—studying philosophy, logic, ethics. These are beautiful and necessary tools. But Paul reminds us: intellectual brilliance is not the same as wisdom.
Wisdom is a kind of knowledge that comes only from surrender, from prayer, from silence, from allowing the Spirit to search “the depths of God.”
A man may know Aquinas by heart, yet fail to know his own heart.
A man may argue moral theology convincingly, yet remain blind to his own anger, pride, or unresolved wounds.
The seminary is not merely a place to sharpen the mind, but also the heart. It is a place to allow the Spirit to expose what we would rather hide.
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3. Jesus Moves the Law from the Hands to the Heart (Matthew 5:17–37)
In the Gospel, Jesus does something radical.
He does not abolish the Law. He internalizes it. “You have heard it said… but I say to you.”
Murder begins with anger. Adultery begins in the heart. False witness begins with divided integrity.
For seminarians, this is perhaps the most uncomfortable part of today’s Gospel.
Because seminary life can tempt us to measure holiness externally:
• I followed the rule.
• I did not cross the line.
• I did not get caught.
But Jesus is not impressed by technical innocence.
He is concerned with:
• What do you harbor in your heart?
• What resentments do you entertain?
• What desires do you secretly feed?
• What truths do you avoid?
Jesus calls you not merely to be correct, but to be integrated.
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4. The Real Battle Is Interior
Jesus would like us to take care of our heart because it is here that the real battle happens.
Anger left unexamined becomes cruelty.
Unresolved attraction becomes duplicity.
Casual dishonesty becomes a double life.
Seminary is the privileged time to face these interior battles honestly, with the help of your spiritual directors and formators, and of course with the Lord in prayer.
A priest who has learned to guard his heart will shepherd others with mercy and truth.
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Conclusion
In short — Today, the Lord tells you:
• You are free—choose life.
• You are intelligent—but seek deeper wisdom.
• You are observant—but let your heart be converted.
Do not aim simply to become acceptable priests. Ask for the grace to become true shepherds —men whose lives are transparent before God and His people.
