Matthew 5:20-26

1 Kings 18:41-46

Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13

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 with him.

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, I want to imitate your patient love. When someone offends me or corrects me, I will not react in anger or rashly, but seek the truth in love. When I offend something I will seek out their forgiveness and make amends.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Elijah’s Trust in the Lord: The First Reading tells us about the end of a long drought in the northern Kingdom of Israel. Elijah knows the rain is coming and tells the wicked King Ahab to eat and drink, for the famine and drought are over. Elijah himself climbs Mount Carmel to wait for the rain as it comes in from the sea. He is bent over, possibly in prayer, and does not raise his eyes to the sea. Instead, he has his servant inform him of what takes place. He trusts fully in God’s word and does not need to see to believe. In the servant’s seventh report, the servant tells Elijah that he sees a small cloud, rising from the sea, which indicates that the promised rain is near. Although the story is not as powerful as the one we read yesterday about Elijah calling forth fire from the sky to consume the sacrifice, it does teach us an important lesson about God’s providence. The Lord watches over us. This is recalled in today’s psalm, which praises God for his loving care. God has visited the land and watered it with rain. This is necessary for an abundant and rich harvest.

2. Salvation from Sin and Death: It is important to remember that when we pray to God we should not limit ourselves to asking for our material needs. Today’s psalm can be read in the light of Jesus Christ and we see that there is a much greater visitation that will take place – the Incarnation of the Son of God. Jesus brings us, not earthly water that lasts for a time, but living water that gives eternal life (4:14). We need salvation, not just from famine or drought, but from sin and death. God, in his providence, did not leave us to ourselves when our first parents sinned against him but sent his only Son to save us.

3. Wounds against Charity: When we present ourselves before God, we do so as people redeemed in Christ. We form part of the Body of Christ and are bound with others in love. Having something against our brothers or sisters wounds this unity and charity. Calling them “fools” goes against the peace and joy that Christ brings. Our righteousness or holiness does not consist primarily in fulfilling detailed external rites. The Pharisees were confused on this point. Our righteousness and holiness are found in union with Christ. This union with Christ and the communion we share with others in Christ is a gift that we need to accept and protect. That is why Christ tells each one of us today: “Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I desire to practice righteousness. I want to remain in a right relationship with the Father, with you, and with the Spirit. I ask for your grace so that I may do good works that give glory to God and merit eternal life.

Living the Word of God: Who is it that I struggle with the most? Who do I interact with that I call a fool or consider a fool in my heart? What can I do to fix that relationship? How can I see the good in my brother or sister?