Christ is the wisdom of God, which is not at all like the wisdom of the world.  Those who are Christ’s are wise and righteous or just. 

The scribes and the Pharisees are deemed righteous.  For they are strict keepers of the law of Moses.

Jesus is not against the esteem they get.  In fact, he takes it for granted.  Hence, he makes use of it to tell his disciples to be more righteous.

For the disciples to be more righteous means they have to be the law and the prophets in person.  In an extreme, radical, deep, and different way.

Yes, we who say we are Christ’s are salt and light as the law and the prophets are.  The law of Moses and the words of the prophets are salt and light.  For they are our delight and a light to our path.  So then, our being and our living in joy and light should rub on others.

Jesus also sets “a very high bar” for us.  Hence, it is not enough for us not to kill, not to commit adultery, not to take a false oath.  We have to cut the root of murder, which is anger.  And to avoid adultery, we should be clean of heart.  And to be true to what we say is to get rid of false oath.  As for this last one, there is the advice that we say things as they are (SV.EN IX:476).

Of course, the world deems folly to be and live in an extreme, radical, deep and different way.  What is wise, what counts most, more than being honest and true, is one’s own satisfaction.  What matters is to live it up:  to have fun, to win, to own, to control, and the more the better.

Yet such worldly life leads to ruin.  What, then, is wise about self-destruction?

Lord Jesus, you fulfill the law and the prophets since you absolutely do the Father’s will.  Grant that we, lowly, poor, detached from all that is not God, with charity for our neighbor, follow you (SV.EN XII:108).  To the extreme, to giving up our bodies and shedding our blood.  Also, make us righteous so we give up all that leads to conflicts and are not friends of the world.  May our alms, prayers and fasting lead us to seek others’ good.

15 February 2026
6th Sunday in 0.T. (A)
Sir 15, 15-20; 1 Cor 2, 6-10; Mt 5, 17-37