Gospel: Mt 5:20-26
I tell you, if your sense of right and wrong is not keener than that of the Lawyers and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard, that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who murders will have to face trial. But now, I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister is liable to be brought before the council. Whoever calls a brother or sister “Fool!” is liable to be thrown into the fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there, in front of the altar; go at once, and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God. Don’t forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There, you will stay, until you have paid the last penny.
Reflections
Go up, eat and drink, for the sound of rain is rushing in In a time of famine and hunger, Elijah prayed for rain. The famine persisted and many Israelites lost their faith in God who did not seem to heed their petitions. Elijah believed in the Lord and in his promises. Ultimately he saw a cloud arise from the sea and knew God had fulfilled his promises. St. Paul says, “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.” (1 Cor.13:12) Faith is believing in God’s fidelity to us even when the situation points otherwise, even though the eyes cannot see beyond the dark clouds ahead.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2018
