February 16, 2014

First Reading

Sirach    15: 15-20

15:15 He added his commandments and precepts.

15:16 If you choose to keep the commandments, and if, having chosen them, you fulfill them with perpetual fidelity, they will preserve you.

15:17 He has set water and fire before you. Extend your hand to whichever one you would choose.

15:18 Before man is life and death, good and evil. Whichever one he chooses will be given to him.

15:19 For the wisdom of God is manifold. And he is strong in power, seeing all things without ceasing.

15:20 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, and he knows each one of the works of man.

Second Reading

First Letter to Corinthians    2: 6-10

2:6 Now, we do speak wisdom among the perfect, yet truly, this is not the wisdom of this age, nor that of the leaders of this age, which shall be reduced to nothing.

2:7 Instead, we speak of the wisdom of God in a mystery which has been hidden, which God predestined before this age for our glory,

2:8 something that none of the leaders of this world have known. For if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

2:9 But this is just as it has been written: “The eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love him.”

2:10 But God has revealed these things to us through his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

Gospel

Matthew   5: 17-37

5:17 Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill.

5:18 Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done.

5:19 Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

5:20 For I say to you, that unless your justice has surpassed that of the scribes and the Pharisees you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

5:21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not murder; whoever will have murdered shall be liable to judgment.’

5:22 But I say to you, that anyone who becomes angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. But whoever will have called his brother, ‘Idiot,’ shall be liable to the council. Then, whoever will have called him, ‘Worthless,’ shall be liable to the fires of Hell.

5:23 Therefore, if you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,

5:24 leave your gift there, before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then you may approach and offer your gift.

5:25 Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison.

5:26 Amen I say to you, that you shall not go forth from there, until you have repaid the last quarter.

5:27 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

5:28 But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

5:29 And if your right eye causes you to sin, root it out and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body be cast into Hell.

5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body go into Hell.

5:31 And it has been said: ‘Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.’

5:32 But I say to you, that anyone who will have dismissed his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever will have married her who has been dismissed commits adultery.

5:33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.’

5:34 But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

5:35 nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.

5:36 Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black.

5:37 But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil.