Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (15th June, 2017) on the Gospel
2Cor 3:15–4:1.3-6;
Ps 84:9-14. (R. cf. v.10);
Matt 5:20-26.
Topic: The cut-off mark.
Jesus taught in today’s gospel that His disciples’ righteousness
must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees to make the kingdom of heaven. The
ancients were forbidden to commit murder but Jesus said that whoever is angry with
a brother or sister is liable to judgement, whoever insults will be liable to
the council, and whoever calls another a fool will be liable to hell of fire.
May be to show how serious these are Jesus said further,
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 reconcile to your brother or sister, and
then come and offer your gift (Matt 5:23-24).
Obviously, more is expected of Jesus’ disciples to make the
kingdom of heaven than of the old. One wonders, ‘If Jesus is to teach afresh today,
what could He possibly expect of us?’ Surely, being angry with others,
insulting or calling others all sorts of names make no sense today. Again, what
about leaving one’s offerings before the altar? Many things leave churches
daily when their real owners are still in the churches. Only God knows where any
offering kept before the altar will be when the person who kept it returns.
It is true that things keep falling apart but Jesus has not
changed the cut-off mark He gave. Therefore whoever would make the kingdom of
heaven must cross the cut-off mark not minding how irrelevant we might consider
some of them today.
Bible Reading: Ezek 36:16-32; Heb 4:1-13.
Thought for today: Those who are ready will enter heaven, cf. Rev
21:27. 22:14.
Let us pray: Lord, help us in our struggle to
make the kingdom of heaven – Amen.
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