Homily 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A I Homily 15 February 2026 Year A

 https://youtu.be/zVFbR3K_N6c

My dear friends, on this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the Word of God

challenges us to go deeper in our faith. It reminds us that true holiness begins not on

the outside, but in the heart.

The first reading is taken from the Book of Sirach also known as Ecclesiasticus which

was written around 200 years before Jesus by a Jewish teacher named Ben-Sira. He

lived at a time when many Jews were influenced by foreign cultures and were tempted

to forget God’s law. His teachings were later valued by the early Church and are part of

the Catholic Scriptures. Sirach speaks clearly about human freedom and responsibility.

God places before us two paths: life and death, good and evil. We are free to choose

either. God does not force us to obey, nor does God lead us into sin. The images of fire

and water help us understand this truth. Fire can destroy, while water can give life. Both

are within reach, and what we stretch out our hand to take depends on us. In the same

way, our words, actions, and decisions can either build life or cause harm. This passage

reminds us that God knows everything we do. Nothing is hidden from God. Yet this is

not meant to frighten us, but to guide us. God watches over us with love and invites us

to choose what is right, just, and life-giving. In our daily lives, we constantly make

choices — how we speak, how we forgive, how we treat others, and how we respond to

difficulties. Choosing patience instead of anger, honesty instead of lies, and love instead

of hatred is choosing life. Sirach reminds us that faith is not just about knowing God’s

law, but about living it. Choosing wisely builds character, honours God, and inspires

others. God places life before us each day. May we have the wisdom and courage to

choose it.

In the second reading taken from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, St Paul speaks

about two kinds of wisdom: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. The

wisdom of the world is based on power, status, and human success. It is admired by

rulers and leaders, but Paul reminds us that this kind of wisdom does not last. It passes

away with time. Paul then speaks of God’s wisdom, which is very different. God’s

wisdom is hidden, not because God wants to keep it secret, but because it cannot be

understood by human intelligence alone. It is revealed only to those who are open to

God. This wisdom was part of God’s plan from the beginning, long before the world

existed. Paul points out that the rulers who condemned Jesus did not understand this

wisdom. If they had, they would not have crucified the “Lord of glory.” This shows how

human thinking often fails to see God’s ways. What looks like weakness or failure in

God’s plan is actually the path to life and salvation. He reminds us that God’s plans are

far greater than anything we can imagine. God prepares blessings beyond human

understanding for those who love Him. These are not only future rewards in heaven but

also the deep peace, hope, and meaning God gives us now. This passage invites us to

trust God even when we do not fully understand His ways. In moments of confusion, 

suffering, or uncertainty, we may feel lost. Paul reminds us that God is at work beyond

what we can see. Through the Holy Spirit, God reveals His love and truth to our hearts.

When we remain close to God in prayer and humility, we begin to understand life not

with worldly wisdom, but with God’s wisdom, which leads to true life.

A dentist looked at his patient and asked, “Do you brush your teeth every day?” The

patient replied, “Yes, doctor. Twice a day.” “Good,” said the dentist. “Do you brush only

the front teeth or also the inside?” The patient hesitated and said, “Mostly the front…

those are the ones people see.” The dentist smiled and said, “That’s the problem. The

real damage has happened on the inside.” This simple conversation helps us

understand today’s Gospel from Matthew. Jesus tells us that He has not come to

abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He is not removing the Ten Commandments; He is taking

us deeper. Just like brushing only the outside of the teeth is not enough, following God’s

law only on the outside is not enough. Jesus challenges us to go beyond the Pharisees.

They followed the law perfectly, every rule, every detail. But many times, they focused

only on what people could see. Jesus asks us to go further — to clean the inside of our

hearts. This Gospel is a powerful guide to prepare for confession, because it helps us

examine not only our actions but also our thoughts. Jesus teaches us to look at three

areas of our life: how we treat others, how we guard our hearts, and how we live with

integrity. First, Jesus speaks about relationships. When He speaks about “You shall

not kill,” He immediately speaks about anger, harsh words, and broken relationships.

Anger and resentment can destroy others slowly. That is why Jesus says forgiveness

and reconciliation are more important than prayers and worship. We cannot claim to

love God while refusing to forgive a brother or sister. Second, He speaks about purity

of heart. When Jesus speaks about adultery, He says that sin does not begin with

actions, but with thoughts. He invites us to practice modesty of the eyes and purity of

heart, respecting others not as objects but as persons and this applies to media,

phones, and social habits today. Finally, Jesus speaks about Integrity. On divorce,

Jesus reminds us that marriage is sacred and not meant to be broken when things

become difficult. Love demands faithfulness and commitment. Jesus also speaks about

oaths. A truthful person does not need to swear. A simple “yes” or “no” should be

enough. A truthful life speaks louder than words.

We often get lost in rules and forget the spirit behind them. A simple question can guide

us: Does this affect my relationship with God, with others, or with myself? If it does, then

it is sin. Jesus invites us to clean not only the outside, but the inside — to live with love,

honesty, forgiveness, and integrity. As we come to the altar today, let us ask one honest

question: what inside me needs cleaning? May God bless us all.