St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish Grand Prairie, Texas
Gospel Meditations
February 15, 2026
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 5:17-37
A few years into my priesthood, I hit a wall. I had taken on too many commitments: Masses, meetings, ministries, projects. I couldn’t keep up. I was double-booking, forgetting things, running late, and letting people down. My boss at the time, a wise priest, and our shared secretary, noticed. For my birthday, the two gave me a stack of 100 flashcards, each with one word printed in a different language: “NO.” It was funny, but also painfully true. If I couldn’t say no, my yes was in danger.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One” (Matthew 5:37). He’s not just giving advice about polite speech. He’s showing us something about the freedom of Christian discipleship. The follower of Christ is called to speak clearly, simply, and honestly. There is joy in that kind of freedom.
The Church Fathers often linked this kind of straightforward truthfulness with spiritual maturity. The devil is the father of lies, but Jesus is the Word made flesh. When we hedge, flatter, exaggerate, or avoid, we open space for the shadows to creep in. That little stack of flashcards reminded me that God does not want us enslaved to the expectations of others or to the fear of disappointing them. He wants us to enjoy the peace of saying yes and meaning it, and saying no, and meaning it, too.
Lenten Challenge: Practice one moment of honest, peaceful speech this week. Maybe it’s a sincere “yes” to something important, or a humble “no” to something you cannot do. Let it be a quiet step into the freedom Jesus offers.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
15 de febrero de 2026
VI Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Mateo 5:17-37
En la Palabra de Dios de hoy, Jesús nos invita a observar una ley más perfecta. Nos llama a aprender a cumplirla, dando ejemplos concretos de cómo debemos comportarnos. El Salmo de hoy nos recalca lo siguiente: “Felices los de conducta intachable, los que caminan en la ley del Señor. Felices los que guardan sus mandatos y lo buscan de todo corazón” (Salmo 118:1-3). La dicha de ser feliz consiste en saber comportarse correctamente en cada circunstancia de la vida. ¿Cómo lograrlo? ¿A qué debemos aferrarnos para ser verdaderamente felices? Ya escuchamos las Bienaventuranzas el domingo antepasado, y con ellas hemos comenzado a practicar cómo vivir en esa felicidad que proviene de Dios. Guardar los mandatos del Señor, es decir, los Mandamientos, es la base de la moral cristiana, y el camino seguro hacia la Sabiduría de Dios. Esto significa estar conectados con Él siempre, por medio de la oración y los sacramentos.
San León Magno, en su sermón número 92 (1, 2, 3), decía: “La virtud cristiana puede superar la de los escribas y fariseos, no por la supresión de la ley, sino por entenderla en un sentido más profundo. Por eso el Señor, al enseñar a sus discípulos la manera de ayunar, les dice: ‘Cuando ayunen, no anden cabizbajos como los hipócritas, que desfiguran su rostro para hacer ver a la gente que ayunan. Les aseguro que ya han recibido su paga.’ ¿Qué paga, sino la alabanza de los hombres?” Señor, enséñanos a estar abiertos de todo corazón a tu Espíritu, ya que solo Él podrá empujarnos a practicar el amor, la justicia y la paz.
©LPi
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please Note: There will be no Saturday Confession Times during Lent.
Starting February 25th and throughout the Lenten Season, Confessions will be held every Wednesday at 6:30pm during our Lenten Mission.
Faith Formation Registrations
Our Faith Formation department will begin accepting 2026-2027 registrations for Faith Formation classes after all weekend Masses on February 21 & 22, 2026. This will be the first of three in-person Weekend registrations. Registrations forms will also be accepted during office hours. Payment is due at the time of registration. Faith Formation Fees for the 2026-2027 academic year are as follows:
Eucharist I, Confirmation I: $100
Eucharist II & Confirmation I w/ First Eucharist: $140 (includes retreat fees)
Confirmation II: $180 (includes retreat fees)
New OCIA Students: $140 (Kids) | $180 (Teens)
Continuing OCIA Students: $80
Mystagogy (Post-Sacramental Classes): $80
Pilgrimage Interest Meeting - Date Change to March 6th.
Join Deacon Pete and Fr. Marco for an informative session about an upcoming Pilgrimage to Italy this October. All those interested are invited to learn more about the itinerary, spiritual highlights, and what to expect from this faith-filled journey. The information session will take place on Friday, March 6th at 7:00 PM in Mazaika Hall. Come discover this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the saints and deepen your faith.
Stations of the Cross
All parishioners are warmly invited to join us for Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent, as we prayerfully walk with Christ on His journey to the Cross. Stations will be prayed at 6:00pm in English and 7:00pm in Spanish starting February 20th, except on Good Friday, when the Church observes the Passion of the Lord with the solemn liturgy.
We encourage you and your family to make this beautiful Lenten devotion part of your weekly prayer as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
Lenten Fish Frys
Every Friday during Lent except Good Friday beginning February 20th.
Adult Plate: $12
Bottled Water & Sodas: $2 each
Bottled Water & Sodas: $2 each
Menu (Sides may vary):
• Fried battered fish
• French fries
• Hush puppies
• Coleslaw
• Dessert
• Fried battered fish
• French fries
• Hush puppies
• Coleslaw
• Dessert
Join us for great food and fellowship as we observe the Lenten season together. All are welcome!
New Parishioner Meet & Greet
Calling all new parishioners! If you have joined our parish in the past few months, we invite you to a “Meet and Greet” on Sunday, April 12 at 10am in Trinh Hall. During this session, we will introduce you to our many parish ministries, activities, events, and so much more. This is your chance to get involved in parish life and become part of our amazing community! Refreshments will be served.
Please use the link below to RSVP so we can prepare enough materials.
