In today’s homily, Fr. Will reflects on a “reality check” moment from ninth grade geometry—when a test full of red ink revealed what he didn’t yet understand. Jesus offers a similar moment in the Sermon on the Mount.
As the Master Teacher, Christ tells the truth about the human heart. The law isn’t only about avoiding obvious sin; it’s meant to call us into deeper conversion—so we can become who we were created to be.
When we realize we fall short, we usually face three options:
Denial — ignoring reality and deciding for ourselves what is good and evil
Despair — concluding the standard is impossible and giving up
Humility — admitting we need to change and asking for help
Jesus invites the third way. He doesn’t speak the truth to crush us, but to heal us. The lies of “I’m a failure” and “I might as well stop trying” are not from God. Christ desires your flourishing—and he supplies what he commands.
Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a concrete promise:
Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.
Take him at his word. Ask for grace. Seek the way forward. Knock with trust.
Scripture in this Mass
Sirach 15:15–20 (Freedom and responsibility: “before you are fire and water… choose.”)
1 Corinthians 2:6–10 (God’s wisdom revealed through the Spirit)
Matthew 5:17–37 (Jesus fulfills the law and calls us to interior conversion)
