March 10 2006
Gospel Matthew 5:20 - 26 ©
Jesus said, ‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
I have had the temptation to call others fool or to impose my personal judgement on their behavior. God is the one who will judge and it is not for me to look to others in that way. It is for me to look into my own ways and thoughts only and to see that they stay on the path of God's will for me. Patience has many rewards and I am convinced that wisdom is born from a lifetime lived in loving patience. Good things come to those who wait in the Lord. My love of others has been a point of being intertwined with my love of God. It flows out of my faith and trust in God and my personal relationship in God. The acts of going being in the Church and saying prayers are meaningless if my life is not filled with and led by love. Love of God and Love of others lived daily with patients, generousity and honesty to myself and others. Peace flows out of love, patience, charity and faith.
Jesus said, ‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
I have had the temptation to call others fool or to impose my personal judgement on their behavior. God is the one who will judge and it is not for me to look to others in that way. It is for me to look into my own ways and thoughts only and to see that they stay on the path of God's will for me. Patience has many rewards and I am convinced that wisdom is born from a lifetime lived in loving patience. Good things come to those who wait in the Lord. My love of others has been a point of being intertwined with my love of God. It flows out of my faith and trust in God and my personal relationship in God. The acts of going being in the Church and saying prayers are meaningless if my life is not filled with and led by love. Love of God and Love of others lived daily with patients, generousity and honesty to myself and others. Peace flows out of love, patience, charity and faith.
posted by Joan Morris at 11:03 AM
