Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
February 12, 2017
Gospel: MT 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37
Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless
your righteousness
(1) surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (2), you will not enter the kingdom
of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your
ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But
I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment.
"You have heard that it was said, You shall not
commit adultery
(3). But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has
already committed adultery with her in his heart.
"Again you have heard that it was said to your
ancestors, Do not take a false oath (4), but make good to the Lord all that you
vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,'and your
'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."
http://www.usccb.org
The difficult words
(1)Righteousness is goodness and justice in God's sight.
(2)The scribes
and Pharisees were snobs who taught people about Jewish laws, but rarely set a good example.
(3)To commit adultery
means to be unfaithful to your husband or your wife.
(4)An oath is a special promise to speak the truth.
This week’s spotlight
Why is it so hard to be good?
Original sin mixes up our feelings. It can also make
us think something is good when it is not. Even when we know something is
right, it can be hard to do. We easily form bad habits that make it feel good
to sin. Still, doing the right thing is not as hard as it seems; God promises
to help us, and to forgive us when we fall.
God's law
God gives us freedom to choose the good and to avoid
evil. Some laws come from human authorities to keep things under control.
People can find ways to get around some human laws. God’s law is different; it
always has consequences, because it comes from the way God made things and
wants them to be. God wants to write his law in our hearts. He reveals it
perfectly in Jesus. Jesus reminds us to live the commandments fully.
Reflection
Yes or no?
Sometimes it’s easier not to take a stand. It’s easier
not to choose, not to promise, and not to get involved. We like to keep our
options open, and to have the freedom to change our minds and to do what feels
good in the moment. Sometimes this is a good thing, but sometimes we have to
take a stand and do the right thing. For example, we can’t call someone our
best friend, and then spread mean lies about that person. In the same way, we
can’t call ourselves followers of Jesus, and then ignore God’s commandments. We
can't be true friends of Jesus, unless we really want to live holy lives. Jesus
wants us to make choices, not excuses: Let your “Yes” mean “Yes,” and your
“No" mean “No." We have already said our “Yes" to God in baptism.
Let’s live like we mean it!
Discussion questions
1.What does Jesus tell the disciples in today’s Gospel?
2.Is what Jesus teaching today the same with what happens in the world?
3.As followers of Jesus, which way will you choose to live?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. May this
sharing in your body and blood give me the strength and wisdom to choose always
what is right and good.
This week…
Know the commandments
The readings this week refer to
God's commandments. Do you know the Ten Commandments? Try to memorize them this
week. Show your love for God by loving
his laws.
We
make many choices each day, usually without even noticing. Grow in wisdom this
week by paying close attention to your choices. What will you do with your
time? How well will you listen to your parents and teachers? Choose what Jesus
would choose!
Crossword Puzzle
Source: usccb.org
- Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com
–usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm