Family Bible Study - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Matt. 5:20 For I tell you, unless your holiness exceeds that of the scribes and
Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard
that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall
be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with
his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be
liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell
of fire. 27 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit
adultery.' 28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully
has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 33 "Again you have
heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but
shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' 34 But I say to you, Do not
swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 37 Let what you
say be simply `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Questions for discussion:

1. Jesus says that in order to enter into heaven, our holiness has to be greater
than that of the scribes and pharisees. How do we become holy? How does
God try to make us holy? (Hint: a 10 letter word starting & ending with “s”).

2. Several times in this passage, Jesus quotes a part of the Old Testament and
then says, “But I say to you.” What do you think Jesus was trying to show by
saying “I say to you” in contrast with the word of God in Sacred Scripture?

3. Jesus says that being angry with someone else is like killing them. Why do
you think he says this?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry