Matthew 5:20-26

Ezekiel 18:21-28

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

Matthew 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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, grant me your grace today so that I can share in your righteousness. Do not let me break communion with you. I want to live in your love and be your faithful child.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Individual Repentance: While the Book of Leviticus gives guidelines for an annual repentance by the community of Israel, the prophet Ezekiel speaks about the need for individual repentance and conversion from sin. The sinner can convert to good just as the righteous person can turn to evil. God, Ezekiel teaches, does not rejoice when the wicked die in their sin. Rather, God rejoices when a person turns away from sin and begins to enjoy new life! This message from Ezekiel fills us with hope. Our past sins, once they are forgiven by God, are not a cause for despair. If God were to hold all our past sins against us, then the Psalmist rightly asks: “Who can stand before the Lord?” It is only through divine forgiveness, through washing ourselves in the Blood of the Lamb, that we can stand before God in the heavenly Temple. With the Lord there is true redemption and mercy!

2. True Righteousness: In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that he has come to call sinners. Jesus’ message reaches the ears of those who humbly recognize their need for God. Yet his message also falls on the deaf ears of the Pharisees who think they are righteous because of the deeds they accomplish. The scribes and Pharisees unwittingly trusted in their external, detailed fulfillment of the Law of Moses. They forgot, however, the heart of God’s Law – that true holiness and righteousness are bound to the love of God and neighbor. That is why Jesus exhorts his disciples to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. The condition for entry into the Kingdom is not the external and Pharisaical fulfillment of the Law of Moses, but child-like simplicity and humility, repentance from sin, and true righteousness based on collaboration with the grace merited for us by Christ.

3. Reconciliation: Jesus’ exhortation to true righteousness is followed by the command to be reconciled with those we have offended. In this way, Jesus brings the Fifth Commandment to fulfillment and shows that it excludes being angry with others, judging others, and expressing our anger by calling someone an idiot or a fool. Peace, and not anger, is the path to holiness. Unrighteous anger destroys relationships; authentic peace builds them up. Both Ezekiel and Matthew invite us today to be reconciled with God, to turn from sin, and to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to live righteously. This is possible because you merited grace for us. Your grace is powerful and brings me to share in your divine life. Grant me your grace today!

Resolution: Is there anyone in my family or friend circle that I need to be reconciled with? What steps can I take towards this reconciliation?