Sermon for The Sixth Sunday after Trinity, 2026

Outward righteousness, righteousness that compares one against another, righteousness such as that of the scribes and Pharisees could not enter the kingdom of heaven then, and it cannot enter now.

Yet beware overcorrecting; beware of caring nothing for the Law. “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,” Jesus says. He does not say, “Unless your righteousness comes in below that of the scribes and Pharisees.” Such is the danger when, hearing that Christ has come to fulfill the Law, some part of you mistakes His fulfilling it for your being excused from it. And so your tongue runs unbridled, your anger burns unchecked, and your brother goes unreconciled: all because grace will cover it. Grace, however, is not—is never—license to sin. Instead, Jesus says, “When you know that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” The gift was never only your offerings, whatever they may be. It was you, presenting yourself for worship unreconciled, as though worship were something you give rather than something you come to receive. A dismissive righteousness, a righteousness presuming grace, a righteousness that never reconciles: this, too, could not enter the kingdom of heaven then, and it cannot enter now.

Whichever is yours, Beloved: a righteousness that compares, or a righteousness that presumes, or even some mixture of the two; repent, for the debt is the same. “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”

Readings:

• Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-17

• Epistle: Romans 6:1-11

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:17-26

Sermon:

https://youtu.be/m_qIFJBcCUg