In the realm where law and spirit intertwine,
We tread not just on the letter, but the divine.
Guided by love, mercy, justice, our actions align,
Not by the law's cold print, but by a design so fine.
Reconciliation, a virtue we must embrace,
With our kin, our friends, in every place.
Disputes and disagreements, we must efface,
For in God's grand scheme, love takes the ace.
More than rituals, more than rites,
Our bond with others ignites,
A vital part of our spiritual flights,
In the realm of God, where love unites.
Anger, resentment, we must let go,
Seek peace, seek reconciliation, let forgiveness flow.
Acknowledge our wrongs, in humility we bow,
God's ready to forgive, this we know.
Our actions matter, but so does our heart,
Intentions and attitudes, they're all a part.
In the mirror of the soul, in every part,
Reflects the Kingdom of God, a divine art.
So let us live, in love and peace,
Where anger and resentment cease.
In reconciliation, let our efforts increase,
Reflecting the Kingdom of God, where joys never cease.
REFLECTION:
"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." (Matthew 5:24-25)
We should not just follow the law in a legalistic manner, but understand and live by the spirit of the law. Our actions should be guided by love, mercy, and justice, not just by the letter of the law.
Reconciliation is important with our brothers and sisters. If we have a dispute or disagreement with someone, we should seek to resolve it as soon as possible. This is more important than religious rituals, indicating that our relationships with others are a vital part of our relationship with God.
We should not harbor anger or resentment, but seek peace and reconciliation. We should acknowledge our wrongs, ask for forgiveness, and make amends. Even when we fall short, God is ready to forgive us if we repent. Our heart’s intentions and attitudes are just as important as our actions.
Let us live a life of love, peace, and reconciliation, reflecting the Kingdom of God in our lives.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come before You today, acknowledging that we are called not just to follow the law in a legalistic manner, but to understand and live by the spirit of the law. Guide our actions with Your love, mercy, and justice, and help us to see beyond the letter of the law.
We understand the importance of reconciliation with our brothers and sisters. If we have a dispute or disagreement with someone, grant us the wisdom and humility to seek resolution as soon as possible. Remind us that this is more important than religious rituals, and that our relationships with others are a vital part of our relationship with You.
Help us not to harbor anger or resentment, but to seek peace and reconciliation. Give us the courage to acknowledge our wrongs, to ask for forgiveness, and to make amends. Even when we fall short, we are grateful that You are ready to forgive us if we repent.
Teach us that our heart’s intentions and attitudes are just as important as our actions. Let us live a life of love, peace, and reconciliation, reflecting the Kingdom of God in our lives.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT THE LAW/TEACHING ABOUT ANGER
Matthew 5:17-20/21-26
Gospel | Matthew 5:20-26
Gospel Acclamation
I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.
20 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. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 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. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 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. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Background:
Matthew 5:20-26 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus. This passage is the first of six “antitheses” where Jesus contrasts the demands of the Law with those of the Gospel.
In this passage, Jesus challenges the interpretation of the Law by the scribes and Pharisees. He emphasizes that righteousness should surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the Kingdom of heaven. According to Jesus, righteousness does not come from what we do for God in observing the law, but rather from what God does for us, accepting us as His children.
Jesus expands on the commandment “You shall not kill,” explaining that anger and insult are also liable to judgment. He emphasizes the importance of reconciliation with others before offering gifts at the altar. This teaching encourages us not only to reconcile with our fellow brothers and sisters but also to reconcile ourselves with God.
This passage captures one of the most basic themes of Lent: reconciliation. It’s a call to repentance for the wrongs we have done and a reminder of God’s mercy. It’s a profound teaching on the spirit of the law, going beyond the letter of the law, and focusing on the heart’s intentions. It’s about living a life of love, peace, and reconciliation, reflecting the Kingdom of God in our lives.
Learning Lessons:
Matthew 5:20-26 offers several important lessons for our lives:
Righteousness Beyond Legalism: Jesus teaches that our righteousness should surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that we should not just follow the law in a legalistic manner, but understand and live by the spirit of the law. Our actions should be guided by love, mercy, and justice, not just by the letter of the law.
Importance of Reconciliation: Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciliation with our brothers and sisters. If we have a dispute or disagreement with someone, we should seek to resolve it as soon as possible. This is more important than religious rituals, indicating that our relationships with others are a vital part of our relationship with God.
Value of Peace: The passage teaches us to be peacemakers. We should not harbor anger or resentment, but seek peace and reconciliation. This reflects the peace of the Kingdom of God.
Repentance and Mercy: The passage is a call to repentance. We should acknowledge our wrongs, ask for forgiveness, and make amends. It also reminds us of God’s mercy. Even when we fall short, God is ready to forgive us if we repent.
Heart’s Intentions Matter: Jesus expands on the commandment “You shall not kill,” explaining that anger and insult are also liable to judgment. This teaches us that our heart’s intentions and attitudes are just as important as our actions.
These lessons remind us to live a life of love, peace, and reconciliation, reflecting the Kingdom of God in our lives. They challenge us to go beyond the letter of the law and to live by the spirit of the law, guided by love, mercy, and justice. They call us to be peacemakers, to seek reconciliation, to repent when we fall short, and to trust in God’s mercy. They remind us that our heart’s intentions and attitudes are important to God.
