Diligence in Love

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, February 15th, 2026:
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

---

Matthew
​5.17, 20-24, 27-28, 33-34, 37 

​​Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

“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 ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that the one who is angry with their brother or sister, will be liable to judgment; and whoever insults their brother or sister, will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

“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 lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you: Do not swear at all.

“Let your word be ‘Yes,’ if ‘Yes,’ or ‘No,’ if ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

At first glance, today’s Gospel is not a particularly cozy reading. There’s talk of judgments and councils and hellfires. There are a bunch of really high standards that Christ seems to be setting for his disciples. In several instances, Jesus takes the standard of the scribes and Pharisees and seems to elevate it even higher. “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” The Gospel passage today put me in mind of this trembling. A fearful place in my heart wants to frenetically ask, is the Lord increasing the demands of the law on his disciples? But I believe the prophet Isaiah does not mean that we should have frenetic or fearful trembling, but the kind that comes from deep awe and marvelling. 

When we take a deep breath and move with the Holy Spirit into this new disposition, let’s see how our reading of this passage changes. 

Yes, Jesus is making demands that are a step beyond those of the scribes and Pharisees. But it’s not just that he’s demanding more of them; He wants more for them. The old law stops at actions; notice how Jesus’ additions move to the heart of things. It is not enough to simply not kill; He wants his followers to be free even from harbouring anger or judgment in their hearts. It is not enough to simply not cheat on your spouse; the Lord desires that no one should be a slave to the demon of lust. He desires that even a sacrifice offered be delayed until the one making the offering is reconciled fully with his brothers and sisters.

I was reminded recently of the root of the word diligence. It comes from the Latin diligo, which means to love, esteem, or delight in. When we work hard towards a goal, we can tend to get caught in thinking that it’s all about hustling and working harder. This kind of diligence is that of the scribes and Pharisees. But Jesus calls us to the deeper diligence, to act for love of the other and of God. 

So, I hope to tremble at the beauty of this God who came to fulfill the law in love, at the God who desires me to be freer than I could ever dream for myself.



Sr. Angela Burnham

---