6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 2026 -
Year A
The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.
- The gospel for the day
- Some optional questions for reflection
- Prayers of Intercession
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with questions for reflection
Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week.
Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts. If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
"I did nothing wrong..." When some celebrity says that, it often means "nothing illegal" as opposed to "nothing immoral". We sometimes talk about people keeping the letter of the law rather than keeping the spirit of it.
In today's gospel Jesus is speaking with conviction and authority about the way missionary disciples are expected to live. He does this by contrasting two interpretations of the commandments. The first interpretation is to treat them in a literal, minimalist way which is technically valid but involves no personal commitment. He accuses the scribes and Pharisees of behaving like that. The second interpretation is to internalise the values of the commandments so that people act from personal conviction rather than external obligation.
Jesus uses examples that at times resort to extreme language to highlight the contrast between these two interpretations. Jesus of course "walked the talk" demonstrating that his obedience to the Father's will would be surpassed by his unconditional love. His words remain a personal challenge to each of us as we struggle to live up to such high ideals. Mercifully we are not alone. We have God in our hearts and our faith community at our side. Let us take hope from today's gospel and lean on willing friends to help us follow the master.
1. A non-believer would judge Jesus' words as unrealistic and a recipe for failure. How would you respond?
2. How do you reconcile with those who have offended or hurt you?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
God has given us free will, freedom and responsibility. We can choose between good and evil, and sometimes between life and death. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us and our world leaders on these choices to inspire decisions that will bring about lasting peace and put the needs of humanity above everything else.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Following Pope Leo’s declaration to dedicate his February intentions to Children with incurable diseases, let us all pray fervently for their recovery, that they and their families may receive the best possible medical care, love and support.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
As we approach the season of lent let us be mindful of today’s gospel messages and put aside grievances with our neighbours and families, promoting love and forgiveness and ‘fasting’ from anger and painful memories – as Jesus asked us to do.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
As we go forward on our journey to be missionary disciples, we ask for the grace to continue to strengthen and inspire our faith community and leaders as we strive to help and support all those in need.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray that God’s healing power will be brought to those who are enduring pain and illness, those who are suffering from bereavement and all those on the prayer foundation list. May the Holy Spirit be with them and their families and may they receive all the love and support they need at this time.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For those who have recently died, for those who are grieving and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time, We remember especially
Carmelina McGregor,
Miroslawa Kruczynska.
May they rest in peace and live in glory in the Lord’s Kingdom
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.
Cluster prayer
Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN
Gospel for the day - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Matthew 5:17-37
‘It was said to those of old; but I say to you.’
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.” But I say to you: Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything more than this comes from evil.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary