Living The Commandments From The Heart. Series

This Sunday’s Gospel helps us see God’s commandments more deeply and shows what real righteousness looks like in everyday life. Jesus talks about familiar moral teachings: do not kill, do not look down on others, be faithful in marriage, and do not swear falsely. He doesn’t just repeat these rules. Instead, he shows their deeper meaning and calls us to go beyond outward obedience to real inner change.

Jesus says he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. This means he brings out its full meaning. The commandments are not taken away; they are made complete in him. He also warns that anyone who breaks the commandments and teaches others to do the same will be least in the Kingdom of heaven, but those who follow and teach them will be great. This shows that moral truth still matters, and our actions set an example for others.

Jesus also raises the bar: our righteousness should be greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees. This likely surprised his listeners, since the Pharisees were known for strictly following religious laws. But their problem was that their obedience was mostly on the outside. They focused on following rules without real inner change. Jesus wants more than just good behavior; he wants our hearts to be changed. God cares not only about what we do, but about who we are becoming.

Over centuries, to protect and apply the law, many detailed rules developed traditionally counted as 613 commandments derived from the original ten. These rules covered many aspects of religious and social life. While they aimed to guide people toward holiness, they could also create the illusion that holiness is achieved solely through technical rule-keeping. Jesus cuts through that illusion. He points to the root of sin: intention, desire, attitude, and interior consent. Sin begins inside before it appears outside.

This is why Jesus uses strong and even shocking images: if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out; if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. He is not asking us to harm ourselves, but to take clear spiritual action. His message is urgent and serious. If something keeps leading us toward sin, like a habit, a relationship pattern, something online, or a repeated situation, we need to face it directly and either remove it or change it. Being a disciple means acting. Grace calls for our effort and discipline.

Temptation itself is not sin. Every person experience temptation. Even Christ was tempted. The moral struggle begins when we welcome temptation, dwell on it, justify it, and allow it to shape our decisions. Temptation often enters through ordinary channels: what we look at, what we listen to, what we repeatedly expose ourselves to, and the situations we choose not to avoid. Spiritual maturity includes recognizing our vulnerabilities and acting wisely in response to them.

A practical example helps clarify this. If someone is trying to stop abusing alcohol, it is wise to avoid places where drinking is common and the pressure is high. Taking a different way home, saying no to some invitations, or finding accountability is not a sign of weakness. It is being wise. This is the kind of clear action Jesus asks of us.

Scripture gives us a strong example in the story of King David. When he should have been leading his army, he stayed behind. In a moment of idleness, he saw Bathsheba, wanted her, and acted on that desire. One choice led to another: adultery, deception, abuse of power, and finally arranging the death of her husband. The lesson is not just about one serious sin, but about how sin can grow. Temptation rarely stays small when we let it in. It grows, spreads, and traps us. It is like standing in a storm and expecting not to get wet. Jesus’ warning is meant to protect us: remove what causes you to fall.

The Gospel concludes with a teaching that seems simple but is spiritually demanding: let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Jesus calls His disciples to integrity and to unity between speech, intention, and action. Truthfulness is not only about avoiding lies; it is about being internally consistent and morally reliable. A disciple’s word should be trustworthy because it flows from a truthful heart.

Spiritually, this becomes a rule for living: say yes to what brings you closer to God, prayer, reconciliation, service, discipline, and growth. Say no to what leads you away, even if it means feeling uncomfortable or being misunderstood. Sometimes the hardest 'no' is needed with people close to us or in familiar places. But being holy often means having the courage to be clear.

Living this way takes discernment. Not every choice is clear right away. That is why it is important to seek guidance through prayer, Scripture, wise advice, or spiritual direction. We are not meant to grow morally on our own.