27 February 2015-GOSPEL MT 5:20-26

Friday of the 1st 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."

Reflection:

Today, v read in d Gospel that whoever kills will b liable to judgment. Jesus said that "Whoever is angry with his brother will b liable to judgment."

What is so wrong with getting angry wt someone? Why is it that Jesus is telling us to control our anger like this?

The reason y v r told to control our anger is bz v r called to b loving & merciful, not bitter and uncompassionate. If v let our anger live inside us then certainly it can lead to resentment & other harsh feelings towards others.

Anger itself is nt evil. V need to get angry at injustice & exploitation, v need to get angry wt pple who r stubbornly selfish, v need to get angry at pple who lack human feelings, mistreat others & insensitive. When v indulge in anger in order to stop some1 from doing d wrong doings, then this kind of anger is commendable.

Anger wt wickedness is sinful. Anger wt an expression of contempt is sinful. Getting angry wtout sufficient reason is evil. When v get angry just to show our authority or our resentment or to hurt others in order to take revenge may land us up in sinful situations.

Anger can lead us to even kill somebody (Against d 6th Commandment). Really very dangerous.

Today, v can reflect on d passage frm 1 Cor.  13:4-8. "Love is patient, love is kind.....

May v all learn to love as v r called to.

"Father, we thank you for the gift of this day. We thank you for the opportunity to go out and love others as you love us. Lord, help us to never let go of you, and to always follow your ways. Help us be slow to anger and quick to love. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Jesus loves u. Hv a 1dful day ahead. God bless.

💐💙Wt Love. ...  Fr Robin, Powai💙💐