Mt 5:20-26
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Getting unstuck
Jesus tells us what is at stake if we fail to embrace reconciliation – we remain stuck. In our old ways, our limiting view, our tepid approach to the Kingdom, is where we will stay unless we pay attention and move.
A few months into the pandemic, I realized some of my unhealthy routines. One was letting my Mass attendance slip. Parishes were streaming online and sometimes I could not get myself to open the computer. I was not replacing it with the rosary or a walk and talk with God and I was not fulfilled. I was trudging through mud. Eventually, I became unstuck (prayer and therapy helped) and realized I was giving in to temptation and needed to address this.
Today’s Gospel invites us to be engaged and seek what is behind our limiting behaviors. Let’s get out of the mud and into the Kingdom by embracing reconciliation.
—Brendan O’Kane is the Director of Ignatian Mission and Identity at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, MD.
Prayer
Loving God
You have told us what is in store for us
If we just take the next step
One further than we might think is necessary
One more than we would without Your guidance
Today I will seek the magis – the more universal good
Today I will seek reconciliation
I will do this for You because I know I am giving a gift to those around me a
and ultimately I am giving a gift to myself
Help me to do this with all my heart
Amen
—Brendan O’Kane