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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Gospel Reading 

Matthew 5:17-37

I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Matthew continues the Sermon on the Mount with a three part instruction by Jesus on the Way of Life in the kingdom of heaven. Today’s reading is part one and deals with the Law. Part two deals with worship and religious practice and contains the Lord’s Prayer. Part three deals with trusting God and deeds of loving service to our neighbor.

When Matthew speaks of “the Law and the prophets” he means the whole Scripture. When the Messiah brings the fullness of the kingdom none of scripture will be done away with. Instead it will be fulfilled. Matthew’s Jesus does not overturn the Law of Moses, nor does he set his followers free from the Law. He requires his followers to go beyond the Law by doing more than the Law requires.

The Law condemned murder. Jesus condemns anger. The Law condemned    adultery. Jesus condemns even lustful looks. As Jewish Christians who had      always been faithful to the Law Matthew’s community need a way to understand    the difference Jesus and the kingdom he brings have made. They affirmed that      God had always been at work in history through “the Law and the prophets.” But God’s work goes beyond that to be embodied by the Messiah who reveals the definitive will of God. The written scriptures and their interpretation in tradition        are surpassed by Jesus whose life and teaching are the definitive revelation of        the will of God.

Family Connection

Families have rules. Without rules, family life would be chaos. As a family,    brainstorm a list of rules that you are all called to follow in your home in order          for you all to get along together. Think about rules for play time, rules for eating,    rules for how to speak to one another, rules for going out with friends, and so on. Emphasize that families follow rules as a way of showing love and respect for one another. Explain that in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about following the Law. Say: God’s Law of love can be thought of as rules that we are to follow in order to show our love and respect for one another. 

Read aloud this Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew 5:17–37. Talk specifically with one another about how anger is to be dealt with in your family. Conclude by praying        for the grace to overcome anger and to show respect for one another as a family      by following God’s Law of love.