Greater Righteousness!

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sir 15:15-20; 1 Cor 2:6-10; Mt 5:17-37

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to reflect on greater righteousness. 

The readings of the day orient us towards what distinguishes Christian vocation. 

The first reading from the Book of Sirach, the Jewish wisdom literature, offers a deep reflection on the goodness of God’s Law, which seeks our obedience. The text highlights God-given gifts of freedom and discernment. Thus, in underlining human freedom to opt between fire and water, life and death, and good and evil, the reading not only indicates moral alternatives but also rules out the notions of moral determinism or fatalism, which suggest that God causes us to sin. The text also denies spiritual defeatism, which struggles with an ‘I can’t help it’ attitude. The verses uphold the idea that God wills the good of humanity and not its downfall. In other words, the diligent observance of the Divine Laws not only helps individuals thrive but also the community to flourish. The reading helps us realize that sin results from the abuse of freedom and the disowning of our moral responsibility. In sum, the first reading is a fervent call to discern God’s will and wisdom for humanity by our faithful observance of the Divine commandments.

In the second reading, St. Paul reflects profoundly on the hidden wisdom of God revealed by the Spirit. Paul writes this passage to contrast between the worldly and divine wisdom. While the Corinthian community was tempted to understand wisdom through eloquence and intellect, Paul compels them to see God’s wisdom in and through the crucified Christ. Thus, the salvific wisdom of the cross counters the Greek idea of crucifixion as foolishness and the Jewish belief of it as shame or scandal (1 Cor 1:23). Thus, by affirming the centrality of Christ crucified, Paul rejects any notion of success through charisma, intellect, or prestige. In sum, for Paul, Christian wisdom is contained in the Crucified Christ, the Lord of Glory.

The Gospel text from the Sermon on the Mount is unique for many reasons.

1. It presents Jesus as the New Moses, who is not only the authoritative interpreter of the Torah but also the one who fulfils the Scriptures. Hence, when Jesus preaches, saying, ‘You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…but I say to you…’ he does not contradict the teachings of the Torah but unveils its deeper meaning. 

2. By preaching through words, ‘But I say to you,’ Jesus reveals that, unlike the Old Testament prophets who prophesied saying, ‘Thus says the Lord,’ he has the Divine prerogative to be self-referential. Hence, Jesus speaks not as a mere rabbi or prophet but as one who fulfils the Law. Thus, the passage reveals Jesus’ Divine authority. 

3. Jesus invites his disciples to greater righteousness, which surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees. Hence, Jesus insists on transformed hearts that transcend mere rule-keeping. In other words, he calls for interiorization of God’s Law. For Jesus, morality and goodness should become habitual so that his disciples may live out the call to holy love. 

4. The six antitheses in Jesus’ teachings are murder, adultery, divorce, vows, revenge, and enemies. Of these, the first four are presented. For Jesus, the heart is the epicenter of morality. Therefore, sin begins in the heart. It is to that end he requires a transformation of heart and not merely behavioural management. For him, anger is embryonic murder, and lust is embryonic adultery. This is the reason that Jesus wants his disciples to move from external act to interior disposition. With regard to divorce, Jesus concentrates on marital fidelity rather than lecturing on its permissibility. Finally, his teaching on vows stresses the integrity of speech so that truthfulness becomes habitual.

The three readings of the day propose an actionable agenda. 

1. Our choices matter. We cannot blame God, society, or fate for our choices. According to the Fundamental Option Theory, in anything we do, we make a choice for or against God. 

2. We, the believers, depend on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s will. Hence, our hearts must be open to the Spirit’s revelations.

3. Christian discipleship requires a constant and consistent examination of our hearts to shape our motivations. Thus, discipleship becomes an everyday spiritual discipline. 

Let us pray that we may heed Jesus’ call to greater righteousness and embrace it willfully.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar