12th February 2017
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ecclesiasticus 15:16-20
Ps 118:1-2,4-5,17-18,33-34
1 Corinthians 2:6-10
The Gospel of Matthew 5:17-37

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish them but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.

‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.

‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.

‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

Three Degrees of Sin

There is a double sense in “Fulfill the Law,” either by adding something which it had not, or by doing what it commands.

Since the only murder they knew was physical, the Lord shows them that evil thoughts to the hurt of a brother are a kind of murder.

“He who says to his brother, ‘Raca’.” Some interpret “Raca” as the Greek “ραχος,” or ragged. But this is more likely to be a sound (or interjection) expressing anger. While “fool,” is an actual word of reproach.

Anger, the expression of anger, and a word of reproach, “fool,” are three degrees of sin: The first, when anger is kept in the heart without giving any sign of it. The second, when any expression of the anger escapes. The third (and greater sin), when an angry word of reproach is uttered.
Cf. Saint Augustine, Catena Aurea, in Matthaeum

Saints of the week
Tue 14 Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, Bishop
Fri 17 The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order 
Sat 18 Memorial of the B. Virgin Mary   

Psalter week II

Next Sunday Readings
Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
Ps 102:1-4, 8,10,12-13
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Matthew 5:38-48

Weekly News

• Palm Branches Needed to make the Ash Wednesday ashes (1st Mar). You can leave them at the Church or the Coffee Shop. Thank you.
• The Way of the Cross: Our Passion of the Lord 2017 is coming (9 Apr). We need actors and readers, as well as prop designers, help with costumes, setting up, publicity, etc. Call Fr. Fernando 9993 3130.
• Coffee Morning at the Hospice Cafeteria Thur 23 Feb, 10-12. All are welcome to join St. Michael’s Charity to raise funds for our Hospice.
• Saint Patrick’s Celebration: Sat 18 March, 7pm at Giorgio’s Restaurant, €15 dinner. More details to come.
• Paphos 2017 European Capital of Culture is looking for volunteers to help with the exhibitions. Contact Fr. Carlos 99121404.

CARITAS PAPHOS:

• Nοn-perishable food needed for the poor in the Paphos area. Prayers and Donations always welcomed.
• A lift to come to Holy Mass would be greatly appreciated. Contact Wendy Burdon: 99040294.

Archangel Michael Hospice: Volunteers needed in the areas of reception, nursing assistants and cafeteria. Contact Mona 99 494140.

Fatima’s 100 Year Anniversary Pilgrimage: More details to come. 

Mass Times HERE