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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Go first and be reconciled with your brother

Go first and be reconciled with your brother

Published Mar 3, 2023 02:45 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY



Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount have the power to correct our misconceptions concerning the faith we profess. Many times we do pietistic activities in order to feel good. During Lent, for example, we do many religious rituals because they make us feel good. However, the challenge is not only to feel good but also to be truly free of negative feelings like anger and hatred that might still be residing in the inner recesses of our hearts. When relations are broken, reconciliation is our Christian aspiration. But anger and hatred hinder us from being reconciled to one another. Today’s Gospel challenges us not to be angry and to always give reconciliation a chance. It is in reconciliation where every religious practice finds its profoundest meaning. Do we harbor a grudge against someone? How do we respond to the challenge of our faith to let go of our anger and hatred? When our relationships with others are broken, do we take the initiative to be reconciled with them?

FIRST READING • Ez 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord God: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord God. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?
And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Gospel • 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.” *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*
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