3 March, 2023 | Friday of the First Week of Lent

 Gospel Mt 5: 20-26 

Jesus said to his disciples: 

“I tell you, 

unless your righteousness surpasses that

of the scribes and Pharisees,

you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,

You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother

will be liable to judgment,

and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, 

will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,

and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,

and there recall that your brother

has anything against you,

leave your gift there at the altar,

go first and be reconciled with your brother,

and then come and offer your gift.

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.

Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,

and the judge will hand you over to the guard,

and you will be thrown into prison.

Amen, I say to you,

you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Reflections: 

Leave your offering there before the altar….  In this Gospel passage,  Jesus speaks about the importance of doing all we can do to build right relationship with one another. In other words it means that this work of reconciliation takes priority over the act of worship. He calls us for a renewal of the heart and mind. To reconcile with one another means that you not only forgive but also do all you can to ensure that you reestablish a relationship of love with that person. It means that you both put your grievance behind you and start anew. 

Activity: 

Pray for the grace to respond to Jesus' call to conversion of heart and mind to a deeper virtue.