Sunday Mass Readings and Reflection– February 15th, 2026

1st Reading: (Sirach 15:15–20)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119)

Response: 

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

2nd Reading: (1 Corinthians 2:6–10)

Gospel: (Matthew 5:17–37)

Jesus teaches that He has come not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He deepens the commandments:

• Anger is connected to murder.
• Lust is interior adultery.
• Oaths should be unnecessary-let your “Yes” mean yes.

Reflection:

1. Freedom With Responsibility (Sirach)

God trusts us with an incredible gift: freedom.
But with freedom comes responsibility:

• to choose good,
• to resist evil,
• and to recognize that our decisions shape our spiritual destiny.

Sirach reminds us: God never pushes us toward sin- we do that ourselves.

Question for prayer:
What choices am I making today that lead me toward life? Which lead me away from God?

2. God’s Wisdom Isn’t the World’s Wisdom (1 Corinthians)

St. Paul contrasts the “wisdom of this age” with God’s hidden wisdom-something the world cannot grasp.
We often chase:

• intellect,
• power,
• influence,
• human approval.

But God reveals His deepest wisdom not through worldly success but through the Holy Spirit speaking in our hearts.

Question for prayer: Am I seeking God’s wisdom in silence, Scripture, and prayer- or just relying on my own reasoning?

3. Jesus Goes to the Heart (Matthew 5)

Jesus doesn’t just want external obedience; He wants a transformed heart.

He teaches us:

• Anger isn’t harmless- it corrodes the soul.
• Lust isn’t private-it distorts our ability to love.
• Our words shouldn’t need swearing-truth should flow naturally from us.

Jesus fulfills the Law by revealing its deepest intention:
Love God completely. Love others deeply. Love with integrity.

Question for prayer:
Where is Jesus inviting me to deeper interior conversion? Anger? Purity? Integrity? Forgiveness?

4. Reconciling Before Worship

Jesus says: “First go and be reconciled with your brother.”

Reconciliation isn’t optional- it’s central to worship.Our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships with others.

Question for prayer:
Is there someone God is asking me to forgive or reach out to?

Amen.