Readings for Friday of the First Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ezekiel 18:21-28
The Prophet Ezekiel begins this passage by saying that if an evil person turns away from their sins they will earn redemption. Speaking for God, he says that the Lord does not enjoy punishing those who disobey, rather he rejoices when repentance leads to redemption.
The reading continues saying that if a virtuous person falls into sin and turns from the righteous path, that person will die because of his sin.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Psalm 130 is a song of lament. The psalmist cries out to God to hear the voice of the one who calls and to forgive the sins they have committed. The third verse, which is also the refrain sums up the lament saying if there is not forgiveness all will fall because all have sinned.
Gospel Matthew 5:20-26
This passage is the first of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The first three, including this one today, takes a commandment of Mosaic Law and deepens the meaning. Here the Lord takes “You shall not Kill” to a new level. He reminds the disciples that they must not only avoid the impulse to physically act against another person but must also change their outlook in such a way that their thoughts do not take them into sin.
Reflection:
We are held to a higher standard! To this point in our Lenten journey we have been given the basics of discipleship. Now as we come to the end of our first week, we see that even in those areas were we have been doing a good job, we are asked to take it to the next level.
The Prophet Ezekiel starts us by saying that if we turn away from sin, God will give us life. He then reminds us of a very disturbing truth. If we back slide after living a life full of virtue, we do not achieve the reward, in spite of all the good we may have done. (As an aside, what does this say to our evangelical brethren who claim that once they have been saved they are always saved?) Ours must be a constant process of conversion, always turning away from sin.
Putting two concepts together, as Christian disciples, we find we are on a set of narrow stairs that go only up. The Lord pushes us; “Take the next step.” He tells us. “Your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees.” (He speaks of those who only follow the letter of the Law.) If we even think of turning back we fall. Of course in that analogy, there is a railing we can hold on to, the Lord. If we feel ourselves sliding we can quickly reach out a grab hold of that safety line and keep our balance.
Consider for a moment how unusually this precept is, in the entire world. In almost all of the non-Christian world, vengeance is not only permitted but is an expected reaction. Hatred of one’s neighbor is an accepted and even taught response perceived injustice. Power over others is embraced as wholly good. And today, we are told; “But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment”.
We are held to the highest standards. What we are asked to do today is take the next step. Where ever we are on that long stair, we need to look at our lives and decide what that next step up might be. If we say, “I already am praying and doing my best to help those I meet.” Perhaps the next step is to actively look for those who need our help. If we are praying for those we know, the next step may be to pray for those we don’t know. There is always that next step, and today we are asked to take it.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jacob’s Dream by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1726-29
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ezekiel 18:21-28
The Prophet Ezekiel begins this passage by saying that if an evil person turns away from their sins they will earn redemption. Speaking for God, he says that the Lord does not enjoy punishing those who disobey, rather he rejoices when repentance leads to redemption.
The reading continues saying that if a virtuous person falls into sin and turns from the righteous path, that person will die because of his sin.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Psalm 130 is a song of lament. The psalmist cries out to God to hear the voice of the one who calls and to forgive the sins they have committed. The third verse, which is also the refrain sums up the lament saying if there is not forgiveness all will fall because all have sinned.
Gospel Matthew 5:20-26
This passage is the first of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The first three, including this one today, takes a commandment of Mosaic Law and deepens the meaning. Here the Lord takes “You shall not Kill” to a new level. He reminds the disciples that they must not only avoid the impulse to physically act against another person but must also change their outlook in such a way that their thoughts do not take them into sin.
Reflection:
We are held to a higher standard! To this point in our Lenten journey we have been given the basics of discipleship. Now as we come to the end of our first week, we see that even in those areas were we have been doing a good job, we are asked to take it to the next level.
The Prophet Ezekiel starts us by saying that if we turn away from sin, God will give us life. He then reminds us of a very disturbing truth. If we back slide after living a life full of virtue, we do not achieve the reward, in spite of all the good we may have done. (As an aside, what does this say to our evangelical brethren who claim that once they have been saved they are always saved?) Ours must be a constant process of conversion, always turning away from sin.
Putting two concepts together, as Christian disciples, we find we are on a set of narrow stairs that go only up. The Lord pushes us; “Take the next step.” He tells us. “Your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees.” (He speaks of those who only follow the letter of the Law.) If we even think of turning back we fall. Of course in that analogy, there is a railing we can hold on to, the Lord. If we feel ourselves sliding we can quickly reach out a grab hold of that safety line and keep our balance.
Consider for a moment how unusually this precept is, in the entire world. In almost all of the non-Christian world, vengeance is not only permitted but is an expected reaction. Hatred of one’s neighbor is an accepted and even taught response perceived injustice. Power over others is embraced as wholly good. And today, we are told; “But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment”.
We are held to the highest standards. What we are asked to do today is take the next step. Where ever we are on that long stair, we need to look at our lives and decide what that next step up might be. If we say, “I already am praying and doing my best to help those I meet.” Perhaps the next step is to actively look for those who need our help. If we are praying for those we know, the next step may be to pray for those we don’t know. There is always that next step, and today we are asked to take it.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jacob’s Dream by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1726-29
No comments:
Post a Comment