6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on how we live out God’s commandments from the heart. In all three years, we hear that faith is not just about rules, but about love, trust, and doing what is right. Jesus calls us to go beyond the surface. He wants our actions to come from a place of honesty and love, not just duty.

The readings speak of choice and freedom. God gives us life and teaches us the right way, but we must choose it. The Gospel reminds us to stay true in what we think, say, and do. Jesus teaches that even anger, harsh words, or holding a grudge can harm others. The message across all three years is clear: God’s law is not a burden but a guide to help us grow in love and peace.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

Sunday Year A
Sunday Year B
Sunday Year C

Mass Readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.

• 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.

Mass Readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46: The Lord directed Moses and Aaron on handling potential leprosy, requiring priestly examination and, if confirmed, declaring the person unclean. Afflicted individuals had to signify their condition by their appearance, vocalize their unclean status, and live in isolation, highlighting the seriousness with which leprosy was treated.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: In confessing my sins, the Lord forgave me, turning my distress into the joy of salvation. Let the righteous find joy and refuge in Him, celebrating His mercy.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1: In everything, even in eating and drinking, aim to honor God. Avoid causing offense, seeking the good of many for salvation. Follow my example, as I follow Christ’s.
• Gospel – Mark 1:40-45: A leper’s plea for healing was met with Jesus’ compassionate touch and affirmation, leading to immediate cleansing. Despite Jesus’ directive for discretion and adherence to Mosaic law for verification, the healed man publicized his miracle, complicating Jesus’ public ministry and drawing even larger crowds to seek him in solitude.

Mass Readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Jeremiah 17:5-8: Those who trust in people are like barren bushes in the desert. Those who trust in the LORD are like fruitful trees by the water.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 1: Those who avoid the wicked and delight in God’s law are blessed and prosper. The wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind. God watches over the righteous.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20: If Christ is not raised, our faith is useless and we remain in sin. But Christ is risen, the first of those who have died.
• Gospel – Luke 6:17, 20-26: Jesus blesses the poor, hungry, and sorrowful, promising them future joy and rewards in heaven. He warns the rich, well-fed, and joyful of future sorrow, highlighting how ancestors treated true and false prophets.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible and the Lectionary both contain Scripture, but they serve different roles. The Bible is the full collection of sacred books, including the Old and New Testaments. It can be read in any order for prayer, study, or personal reflection. The Lectionary, on the other hand, is a selection of Bible readings used at Mass. It follows a set plan so that key parts of Scripture are read during the Church year. Each reading in the Lectionary has a lectionary number that helps people find the right passage for a specific day.

The Lectionary is organized into different sections for Sundays, weekdays, and feast days. It also follows cycles. Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle: Year A (Matthew), Year B (Mark), and Year C (Luke). Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. The readings are chosen to match the Church season. For example, Lent focuses on repentance. The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time has its own set of readings with a lectionary number.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time shows that God’s law is not just about following rules. It is about choosing what is right out of love. The readings remind us that God gives us freedom, but we are responsible for our choices. He sets life and death before us and wants us to choose life.

Jesus teaches that true obedience comes from the heart. It is not enough to avoid big sins. We must also turn away from anger, hate, and selfishness. God wants us to love others and treat them with respect, even in small things.

The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time also teaches that God’s commandments guide us to peace. They are not meant to trap us but to help us live well with each other. The call is to follow God’s way fully, not just on the outside but with honest hearts.

This Sunday is about choosing God’s way daily. It means letting His word shape our words, thoughts, and actions.

The readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time ask us to look deeper. God wants more than good behavior. He wants our love and trust. Think about how you live out His commandments. Are you doing just the bare minimum, or are you choosing to love fully?

Spend time with the readings and see where they speak to your life. Ask yourself what parts of Jesus’ message challenge you. Share your thoughts in the comments. Let others know how you try to live the Gospel each day. Let’s grow together by learning from one another.