The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time -
Matthew 5:17-37
Today Jesus instructs His disciples
what not to do. He begins His instructions by saying: “Do not think that
I have come abolish the law and the prophets, I have come, not to abolish them,
but to fulfill them.” He continues on:
“Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest
letter of the law. . . shall be done away with until it all comes true.”
Anyone who fulfills the law is the least in the kingdom.” Then He adds:
Whoever fulfills and teaches these commandments shall be great in the kingdom
of God. And unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and
Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus also speaks about judging
others. If we judge a sister or brother, we are the ones who will be
liable for judgment, not them. He then talks about anger. He tells
his disciples that if they get angry or use abusive language they will be held
in contempt and they also are risking “the fires of Gehenna.” Jesus warns
his disciples about the danger of thoughts of impurity, adultery, divorce or
making false oaths or pledges. He ends with these words: “”Say ‘Yes’ when
you mean “yes” and ‘no’ when you mean “no.” Anything else is from the
evil one.”
Take a moment and ask yourself: how
often do I speak and words that are neither just nor appropriate? If you
are like me, it is far too often! Yet, I may continue to do it. Why
do we do this? Most of us know what is appropriate and inappropriate yet
we continue to berate, judge, or demean others. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is
very clear about what we are not to do! Today pause a moment and
ask yourself: Do I take Jesus’ words seriously? Do I strive to live as He
calls us to live? Or will I continue to act in a manner I know is not
healthy for me or for the people in my life? Every day, every moment, we
have a choice! What will we choose today?
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