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6th Ordinary Sunday                                                                                     Matthew 5: 17-37

In this section of the sermon on the Mount we hear various sayings Jesus made on separate occasions. Matthew, in his accountant technique has compressed these into one continuous sermon which we read in today’s gospel. This made it easier for his Jewish readers to understand what Christ was trying to teach them. The Jews knew the ten commandments but they only knew them as the Pharisees and Scribes interpreted them. These rabbis put a rigorous interpretation on the letter of the law and on its external observance. 

Christ quotes some of the commandments given by God to Moses, then adding His explanation to them. This he does on his own authority: “I say to you,” thus putting himself on a level with God, which, as he was God, he could do. He stresses on one’s interior disposition when acting upon the commandment. He shows that one’s action must proceed from an intention to honor and please God. The old law is not abolished, but deepened and given new life. 

Avoiding murder is not enough; a true follower of Christ must remove any temptation to do so by building brotherly love in our heart for all people. We must not only not commit adultery; we must build the virtue of purity which will not only preserve us from adultery but even from thoughts of adultery, or any other abuse of our sexual gifts given by God for his sublime purpose. 

True and loyal service of God begins in the heart, our inner being, our real and true reasoning for our actions and our thoughts. We know our interior character even though we may hide it from others. Keeping the ten commandments is our way of proving to God that we are grateful, obedient and loyal to Him who has given us all that we have, all that we are. In addition to that he has promised us a future of eternal joy. 

Our love for God is proved by our true love for our neighbor, so the last seven commandments impose on us obligations regarding our neighbor. It is only by fulfilling these seven that we can keep the first commandments of loving God above all things. In order to emphasize the importance of our relationship with our neighbors and these last commandments the Lord says, “if you are offering your gift at the altar, and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there and first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

You know if you are in need to reconcile with one of your family, one of your friends, acquaintances or even one of your enemies. Empty all the anger, hatred, revenge from within and reconcile with your brother or sister in Christ and you will be truly reconciled with God and prove your love for him. 

A return to sanity in our world can be brought about only by a return to a recognition of God. Our time on earth is a journey to heaven. The less we load ourselves with this world’s goods or concepts, the easier our journey will be. 

 © JOSEPH MEILINGER 2026