February 15, 2026・6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Sirach 15.16-20・Psalm 119.1+2a+3b,17+18・ 1 Corinthians 2.6-10・Matthew 5.17-37

Given that freedom is truly a big deal in the whole world, each nation and every one seeks for freedom. And when one finds it, it is like a treasure that we are ready to fight for, and really promise never again to many and different forms of oppression. World history, including the recent past of many nations and recent experiences of many individuals too, can speak so widely of both freedom and suppression.

Our first reading from the book of Sirach talks about a God who sees everything and gives us a choice between life and death, and good and evil. God`s commandments save us, and if we choose to keep them and trust in Him, we shall live. Basically, in the context of our faith, we will understand freedom as freedom to do what is good, and understand further that freedom is a capacity to avoid what is evil. We understand freedom therefore as a sacred and wonderful gift from God. We are called to live in freedom, promote freedom, and work for freedom. Freedom may seem to mean different to different people, For you, for example, freedom means autonomy, or shall we say, self-rule. We have our readings today to guide us about the kind of freedom that each one of us must enjoy.

While a theme on freedom becomes the point of departure for today`s reflection, our Gospel reading today emphasizes about a Messiah (Jesus) not abolishing the Law and the prophets but bringing completion to the Law and the prophets, introducing a completely new way of thinking, thus, pointing out that keeping the law externally is not enough. We ought to keep the law with love and sincerity. By just keeping the law of God and the church externally, does not make a good disciple of Jesus. There must always be a necessary comparison up to present between us and the scribes and Pharisees. We choose Jesus and we choose His teachings about giving importance to the spirit of the law, the very foundation of the law, which is mutual love. Let us today have a sincere reflection of the gospel passage today. Our basic understanding on freedom as a sacred and wonderful gift can give/bring us a sincere follow –up on our faith, morals, and ethical life. There is a clear lists on how we can deal with anger, unforgiveness, aggression, lies, and lust. Our Lord Jesus Christ grants His disciples true freedom to avoid evils that stain and destroy human relationships.

We choose to seek the Wisdom of God, though it may still be hidden because of our shallowness/superficiality in our life in Him, but we are with Paul in His letter to the Corinthians reminding ourselves,

As it is written:        

What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,        

and what has not entered the human heart,       

what God has prepared for those who love him,      

this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

1 Cor.2.10