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Today’s Word: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 22, 2026

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7

Psalm 51: 3-6, 12-13, 17

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

This is the First Sunday of Lent. The readings today focus on the origins of sin and the ultimate victory over it through Christ. This reflection explores the contrast between the first Adam’s fall and the second Adam’s triumph. Herein we use typology to compare the first man, Adam, with Jesus Christ the savior.

In Genesis today, we see the beginning of the human struggle. The serpent’s temptation isn’t just about fruit; it’s an invitation to be like gods – to be more than just human –  by deciding for ourselves what is good and evil. Adam and Eve weren’t lacking anything in the garden, yet they were convinced by the serpent they were missing out on divinity, something more. So as a consequence, instead of reaching godhood, they became aware of their own nakedness and shame, experiencing immediate alienation from God and each other. The serpent knew what he was doing in tempting Adam and Eve. Thus, came The Fall. Man is separated from God. We are born with Original Sin from Adam and Eve, which is washed away at our Baptism.

I will move on with the Gospel today. The passage from Matthew today shows Jesus, the new Adam, entering the desert to prepare for his ministry and face temptations. Unlike the first humans, Jesus relies entirely on the Word of God. Jesus is tempted three times before the tempter, the devil, flees from him. Jesus spends forty days and nights in the wilderness to fast and pray. The devil tempts Jesus by challenging him between his physical needs and spiritual life. The devil tells Jesus to make stones into bread to feed his hunger. Jesus replies simply by saying men do not live on bread alone, but by the Word of God. When the devil tempts Jesus a second time, it is between humble trust and testing with demands. Jesus tells the devil that it is not good to put God to the test, but hold on and trust God. When the devil tempts Jesus a third time, he does so by offering Jesus worldly power in exchange for worshiping the evil one. Jesus, of course, chooses loyalty to God the Father and serves the Father. Jesus rejects the devil’s temptation for worldly dominion and power because he knows true power lies in serving the Father alone.

The Second Reading today seems to bridge these two stories. St. Paul explains that while one man’s disobedience brought death, one man’s obedience – Jesus Christ – brings justification and life for all. This season is not about our own willpower to better ourselves. It is about acknowledging our pride, sinful nature, and self-reliance and turning toward the grace of Christ to be made righteous.

As we continue this Lenten journey on this First Sunday of Lent and beyond, the Responsorial Psalm today should become our prayer. In it, we are recognizing our sins and asking for mercy and forgiveness. We are invited to enter our own desert to quietly fast and pray in order to identify the areas where we have tried to be our own gods and to return to the joy of God’s salvation.

I will leave you with this verse today: “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.” (Psalm 63:1ab, 4 – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)

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Today’s Word: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 15, 2026

Sirach 15:15-20

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Matthew 5:17-37

It appears in the readings, for this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, challenge us to move beyond a “checklist” faith and toward a radical transformation of the heart.

The First Reading reminds us that God has placed before us choices. It emphasizes the gift of free will, stating that “whichever he chooses will be given to him.” (Sirach 15:17, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). This isn’t just about avoiding major sins, but about actively choosing to trust God’s wisdom over the world’s shortcuts, because “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, and he knows every deed of man.” (Sirach 15:19, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

I will touch on the Psalm for this week. It is like another song of praise asking God to be present and asking God to help understand and retain God’s word and commandments. We must continue to be diligent in our faith and understanding of scripture to fully go out and live that virtuous life, and to joyfully spread the good news of the Gospel.

In the Second Reading, St. Paul speaks of a “hidden wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 2:7, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition) that the rulers of this world cannot grasp. This wisdom is revealed through the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit “searches  everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). It invites us to prepare for the wonders “God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

In the Gospel today, continuing from the beatitudes to last week’s passage about being the salt and light of the earth, Jesus declares he has not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfil it. He says this in the first verse of the passage. He appears to be raising the bar. Jesus says it’s not enough to not kill; but Jesus warns that even harboring anger or calling someone a “fool” makes us liable to judgment. (Matthew 5:22, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

He then moves the boundary of adultery from physical acts to the intentions of the heart. Jesus says, “But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

He then speaks on oaths and holding on to integrity, instead of needing complex vows, like swearing to heaven or things of this earth, to prove truthfulness, Jesus tells us to let our “Yes” mean “Yes” and our “No” mean “No.” (Matthew 5:33-37, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). We need to simply be truthful and honest towards one another without having to go to extremes to prove ourselves to others.

So, as we approach this Lenten season, these readings, I think, serve as a call to live differently. Try to monitor your internal life as closely as your external actions. Notice where a small anger or a subtle deception might be distancing you from God’s hidden wisdom.

I will leave you with this thought for today. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18, The Great Adventure Bible – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)