Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 27 February ‘26. Surpassing Righteousness

Daily Catholic Lectio

Fri, 27 February ‘26

First Week of Lent, Friday

Ezekiel 18:21–28. Matthew 5:20–26

Surpassing Righteousness

Day by day, we desire to be better than we were yesterday — in health, in financial stability, in well-being, in happiness, in contentment, and in our spiritual life. We do not wake up hoping to decline. We hope to grow. Yet we know a simple truth: doing the same things again and again will not produce a different result. If we seek greatness, we must perform acts worthy of greatness. Growth demands intention. Holiness demands decision.

Today’s Word of God places before us the call to a higher standard — what we may call surpassing righteousness.

In the Gospel according to Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares something striking: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” For His listeners, this would have sounded shocking. The scribes and Pharisees were known for their careful observance of the law. If their righteousness was not enough, then what more could be required?

Jesus is not asking for more rules. He is asking for a deeper heart.

The righteousness of the Pharisees was often external — measured in visible acts, ritual observance, and public piety. But Jesus calls His disciples to something beyond the surface. He moves from behaviour to being, from action to attitude, from law to love.

From today’s Gospel, we learn three essential lessons.

1. We Stand Between the Easy and the Right

Every day we stand at a crossroads: the easy path or the right path. These two are not always the same.

It is easy to perform visible religious acts. It is easy to attend worship, to offer a gift at the altar, to maintain an appearance of devotion. But it is not always easy to forgive. It is not easy to reconcile. It is not easy to let go of anger, pride, or resentment.

Jesus gives a concrete example: if you bring your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift and first be reconciled. Worship cannot replace relationship. Sacrifice cannot substitute for sincerity. The right path may be harder, but it is the path that leads to true righteousness.

Surpassing righteousness means choosing what is right, even when it is uncomfortable.

2. We Must Move from the External to the Internal

Jesus deepens the commandment: “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not kill.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”

The law prohibited murder. Jesus addresses anger. The law condemned the act. Jesus examines the heart.

True holiness begins inside. One may avoid physical violence yet harbor bitterness. One may refrain from insult yet nurture contempt. Outwardly correct, inwardly divided.

The surpassing righteousness that Jesus demands is an inward transformation. It asks: What is happening within me? What thoughts am I cultivating? What emotions am I feeding?

Spiritual maturity is not measured by external signs alone, but by the light or darkness within the heart.

3. Change the Disposition, Not Only the Action

It is not enough to change behaviour while leaving the inner disposition untouched. Evil actions begin long before they become visible. Murder begins as anger. Betrayal begins as resentment. Division begins as unchecked pride.

If we want lasting change, we must address the source. Cutting off the fruit without touching the root will not heal the tree.

Jesus calls us to interior conversion — to cleanse not only our hands but also our hearts.

This message resonates deeply with the first reading from the Book of Book of Ezekiel. Through the prophet, the Lord speaks clearly: if the wicked turn away from their sins, they shall live. If the righteous turn away from righteousness, they shall die.

Two truths stand out. First, no one is permanently condemned if he chooses conversion. Second, no one is automatically secure if he abandons faithfulness. The wicked must convert. The righteous must persevere.

God does not trap us in our past. He looks at our present direction.

Today’s lesson is simple and practical: I must strive to be slightly better today than yesterday. Not in comparison with others, but in comparison with myself. One step closer to forgiveness. One step away from anger. One act of reconciliation. One hidden change of heart.

Surpassing righteousness is not about superiority; it is about sincerity. It is about returning — returning to God, returning to our neighbour, returning to our true self.

If we desire greatness in life, we must choose the greatness of the heart.

Today, let us decide: I will not settle for what is easy. I will choose what is right. I will move from the external to the internal. I will change not only my actions but my dispositions.

And in that decision, we will find that true righteousness is not something we display — it is something we become.

Fr Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy