6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

• First Reading – Sirach 15:15-20: You can choose to keep the commandments and trust in God. God sees everything and gives you the choice between life and death, good and evil.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 119: Happy are those who follow God’s law with all their heart. Teach me, Lord, to follow your commands and give me understanding to keep them faithfully.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 2:6-10: We share God’s hidden wisdom, planned for our glory, which the rulers did not understand. God’s prepared blessings for those who love him, revealed through the Spirit who knows everything.
• Gospel – Matthew 5:17-37: Jesus teaches his disciples to fulfill the law, surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, avoid anger, lust, and false oaths, and always speak the truth.

Lectionary Reference: 76

Upcoming dates: February 15, 2026, February 11, 2029

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focuses on choices, wisdom, and living a good life. Jesus teaches that following God’s law is not just about rules but about having the right attitude and actions.

• Free Will and Choice: God gives people the ability to choose between good and evil. The first reading reminds everyone that their choices lead to life or death.
• Following God’s Wisdom: The second reading speaks of God’s wisdom, which is different from human wisdom. People who love God receive his wisdom through the Spirit.
• Obeying the Commandments: Jesus teaches that obeying God’s law is more than just following rules. It means living with honesty, love, and self-control.
• Avoiding Anger and Hate: Jesus says anger can lead to harm, just like murder. He calls his followers to seek peace and forgiveness instead.
• Purity in Thoughts and Actions: Jesus warns against lustful thoughts and actions. He teaches that purity starts in the heart, not just in outward behavior.
• Speaking Truthfully: Jesus tells his followers not to swear oaths but to be honest in everything they say. Truthfulness should be part of daily life.

God sees everything and wants people to choose good over evil. The readings on the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A remind everyone that faith is not just about laws but about living with love, wisdom, and truth.

What Is “Moral Law”?

God gives moral law to help people know what is right and wrong. It is not just a set of rules but a guide for living with love and truth. By following moral law, people grow closer to God and avoid actions that harm themselves or others. Jesus teaches that obedience to God is not only about actions but also about what is in the heart.

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that God’s law is meant to lead to true happiness. The readings show that making good choices brings life, while bad choices lead us away from God. Jesus calls people to go beyond just following rules and to live with honesty, kindness, and self-control. Understanding moral law helps people make better choices and live as true followers of Christ.

Be a Saint!

Bishop Barron explains that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus acts as the new Moses. Like Moses, he goes up a mountain to give the law, but instead of just repeating old teachings, he deepens their meaning. When Jesus says, “You have heard it said… but I say,” he is speaking with full authority. He is not rejecting the Old Testament law but fulfilling it. The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A shows how Jesus wants his followers to go beyond external actions and change their hearts.

Jesus teaches that avoiding sin is not enough. People must look at the root of their actions, like anger leading to violence or lust leading to adultery. He calls his followers to strive for holiness, saying, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The Church does not accept mediocrity. It holds up high moral standards while also offering God’s mercy. Jesus’ teaching challenges people to seek both righteousness and compassion.

You Have a Choice to Make

In his commentary for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jeff Cavins explains that Jesus calls his followers to go beyond outward actions and look at their hearts. The first reading from Sirach reminds people that they have the freedom to choose good or evil. Jesus takes this further in the Gospel, teaching that following God’s law is not just about avoiding sin but also about having the right attitude. Anger, lust, and dishonesty start in the heart, so true righteousness means changing from the inside out.

Jeff Cavins highlights that the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is about living an integrated life. Faith is not just about obeying rules—it is about having a heart that seeks what is right. Jesus does not remove the law but fulfills it, calling people to internalize it and live it fully. True faith affects both actions and relationships with others.

Affair of the Heart

In his commentary for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Scott Hahn explains that Jesus fulfills the Law of Moses, bringing a deeper understanding of God’s commandments. Outward obedience is not enough—Jesus calls for a change of heart. True righteousness goes beyond avoiding sin; it requires mastering our thoughts, emotions, and desires. The first reading reminds us that God gives us the choice between life and death, and He never asks more than we can do.

Scott Hahn emphasizes that the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A teaches that God’s law is written on our hearts. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, shows that we can follow His teachings. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can choose what is right and live by God’s wisdom. The Gospel calls us to trust in God’s plan and seek Him with all our hearts.

Yes, And

Jesus did not reject his Jewish faith but deepened its meaning. Fr. Richard Rohr explains that Jesus taught that the law was not just about rules but about drawing closer to God. His words, “You have heard it said… but I say,” show that he was calling people to go beyond surface-level obedience. Instead of just following laws, he wanted people to understand their purpose and live with love and mercy.

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A highlights this teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus fulfills the law by showing its true purpose—union with God and care for others. He moves beyond tribal thinking and focuses on mercy and inclusion. His message is not about competition between religions but about seeking what is good and true. The Spirit continues to guide people toward a deeper understanding of faith, one that moves beyond legalism to genuine love.

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A invites us to think about what it means to follow God’s law. Jesus teaches that obeying rules is not enough. He wants his followers to understand the deeper meaning behind them. He calls for a righteousness that goes beyond the scribes and Pharisees. The readings challenge us to look at our hearts and consider how we live out our faith each day.

Laws on the Mountain

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that Jesus did not come to erase the law but to fulfill it. In the Gospel, he goes up a mountain, just like Moses did when he received the Ten Commandments. But Jesus does not just repeat the law—he explains its deeper meaning. He shows that following God is not just about obeying rules but about having the right heart.

Jesus speaks about important commandments, such as those against murder and adultery. He teaches that these laws go beyond actions. Anger can be just as harmful as violence, and impure thoughts can lead a person away from God. Jesus calls his followers to go deeper, to live with love and self-control.

The Old Testament law was given to guide people toward holiness. But Jesus brings something greater. He completes the law by teaching that love is at its center. The law is not just a set of rules—it is a path to a good and just life.

Catholics believe that both the Old and New Testaments are part of God’s plan. Jesus does not reject the old law but shows how it leads to something greater. The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenges us to see the law in a new way. It is not just about following commands but about becoming the people God calls us to be.

Not Just Rule Followers

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that faith is not just about following rules. Jesus tells his followers that their righteousness must be greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees. These religious leaders were strict about obeying the law, but they sometimes missed the bigger picture. Jesus wants more than just obedience—he wants people to live with love and sincerity.

Jesus gives examples of how to go beyond the law. It is not enough to simply avoid murder; people must also avoid anger and hatred. It is not enough to avoid adultery; people must also have pure hearts. Jesus wants his followers to live in a way that reflects God’s goodness, not just follow the minimum requirements.

Rules are important, but they are not the goal. The goal is to live as children of God, treating others with kindness and honesty. When people focus only on rules, they can become judgmental or prideful. Jesus calls his followers to something higher—a life shaped by love.

Following Jesus means looking beyond the surface. The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenges everyone to ask: Am I just following the rules, or am I truly living the way Jesus teaches? Faith is not just about avoiding sin; it is about growing in love and goodness every day.

Justice and Love

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that laws should lead to justice and love. Jesus does not reject the law, but he teaches that its purpose is to guide people toward what is right. The goal is not just obedience but a life shaped by goodness.

Catholics believe that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned by good deeds. But that does not mean people can ignore God’s law. Jesus calls his followers to live with righteousness and mercy. A faithful life is not just about avoiding sin but about bringing justice and kindness into the world.

Jesus teaches that following the law is not enough. People must understand why the law exists—to protect, to guide, and to help people love one another. When laws are used only as strict rules, they can lose their true meaning. Jesus wants people to follow the spirit of the law, not just the letter of it.

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenges us to go beyond the basics. It is not enough to do the minimum required by God. A true follower of Jesus asks, “How can I live with more love, more honesty, and more justice?” By focusing on these things, we live the way Jesus teaches.

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that faith is not just about rules. It is about living with love, wisdom, and truth. Jesus teaches that righteousness is more than just obeying commands. It is about choosing what is good, avoiding what is evil, and seeking God with all our hearts.

Prayer

Lord, you call us to live with truth and love. Help us to follow your ways, not just in words but in our hearts. Teach us to choose what is right and to turn away from anger, dishonesty, and selfishness. Fill us with your wisdom so we may walk in your light. Amen.

• What does Jesus mean when he says he came to fulfill the law?
• Why does Jesus say our righteousness must go beyond the scribes and Pharisees?
• How can we go beyond just following rules and truly live our faith?
• What choices do you face where you must choose between good and evil?
• How does anger or hatred affect your relationships?
• Why is honesty so important in daily life?
• How can we bring more love and justice into the world?
• What does it mean to follow the spirit of the law and not just the letter of the law?
• How do the readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenge you?
• What steps can you take to grow in love, wisdom, and truth?

The readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on choosing good, following God’s wisdom, and living with love and truth. The selected songs reflect these themes by calling on believers to trust in God, follow His commandments, and seek righteousness in their hearts. Some songs encourage faith and unity, while others focus on God’s guidance and the call to love one another. There are also songs that remind us of God’s mercy and our need to walk in His ways. Whether quiet and reflective or uplifting and joyful, this music helps bring the message of the readings into worship.

• Abide with Me by Matt Maher
• Beautiful Things by Gungor
• Christ Be Our Light by Bernadette Farrell
• Eye Has Not Seen by Marty Haugen
• God is Love by Cyril Vincent Taylor & Timothy Rees
• Great Are You Lord by Casting Crowns
• Hold Us Together by Matt Maher
• Holy Is the Lord by Chris Tomlin
• I Give You a New Commandment by Bob Hurd
• I Will Choose Christ by Tom Booth
• King of My Heart by Greg Walton
• Lead Me, Lord by John D. Becker
• Mighty to Save by Laura Story
• My Heart Belongs to You by Tom Booth, Jodi Light Mendivil, Matt Maher & Rich Bock
• O God, You Search Me by Bernadette Farrell
• This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham
• Turn to Me by the St. Louis Jesuits
• We Belong to You by Trevor Thomson & Victoria Thomson
• We Gather Together by Edward Kremser & Robert E. Kreutz
• We Walk by Faith by Marty Haugen

Music directors and musicians can use these songs to deepen the message of the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. These selections support the themes of the readings and encourage prayerful reflection. If you have other song ideas, share them in the comments to help others choose meaningful music for worship.

What date is the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The next date is Sunday February 15, 2026.
For other years see the links below:
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

What are the Mass readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday February 15, 2026 are:
First Reading – Sirach 15:15-20: Choose Life or Death
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 119: Blessed Are They
Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 2:6-10: God’s Hidden Wisdom
Gospel – Matthew 5:17-37: Teach and Obey

What does it mean that Jesus fulfills the law?

Jesus does not erase the law but completes it by showing its deeper meaning. He teaches that following God is not just about rules but about having the right heart and actions.

Why does Jesus say our righteousness must go beyond the scribes and Pharisees?

The scribes and Pharisees followed the law strictly, but their hearts were not always right. Jesus wants people to follow God with love, not just with rules.

How does the first reading for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A relate to free will?

The first reading reminds people that God gives them the freedom to choose between good and evil. God does not force anyone to follow Him, but choices have consequences.

Why does Jesus say anger is like murder?

Anger can lead to hatred and harm, just like murder can. Jesus wants people to stop anger before it grows into something worse.

What does Jesus mean when He warns against lust?

Lust is not just about actions but also about thoughts. Jesus teaches that purity starts in the heart.

How does the second reading for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A help us understand God’s wisdom?

The second reading reminds us that God’s wisdom is different from human wisdom. We need the Holy Spirit to help us understand what truly matters.

Why does Jesus say not to swear oaths?

Jesus teaches that people should always tell the truth. If they are honest, they will not need to make special promises to prove themselves.

How can we apply the teachings from the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A to our lives?

We can think about our thoughts, words, and actions, not just follow rules. Living with love, truth, and self-control helps us follow Jesus more fully.

Why does Jesus focus on what is in the heart?

Good and bad actions come from the heart. If a person’s heart is filled with love and truth, they will act in the right way.

What is the main message of the Gospel for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

Jesus calls people to go beyond just following the rules. He wants them to live with love, honesty, and self-control in all they do.

Why is choosing good important?

God gives people the freedom to make choices. Choosing good brings them closer to Him and leads to a better life.