Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay Chúa Giêsu kêu gọi chúng ta nên thánh.
Ngài đã mặc nhiên
đề cập đến các lề luật trong sách
Lêvi câu 19:02 "Các
ngươi phải thánh thiện, vì Ta, Ðức Chúa, Thiên Chúa của các ngươi, Ta là Ðấng
Thánh."
Khi đưa
ra về chủ đề về sự thánh thiện này, Chúa Giêsu đã nói theo
một cách gợi
nhớ những lời của tiên tri thời trước. Tôn giáo đòi hỏi một mức độ công bình cá nhân nhất
định, nhưng phải luôn luôn biết
nghĩ đến những người khác. Và cũng phải có những thái độ thích hợp nữa, nghĩa là chúng ta không trở nên giận dữ với người khác hay dùng những ngôn từ thô lỗ để làm nhục hay lăng mạ người khác. Vì cuối cùng chúng ta cũng sẽ phải
làm hòa với
những người này trong một tinh thần chung, trong những trường hợp công lý được đòi
hỏi phải hòa giải trước khi dâng của lễ hiến tế cho Thiên Chúa trên bàn thờ. Do đó, lời cầu nguyện trên những lễ vật hôm nay cũng phản ảnh bài
Tin Mừng, vì chúng ta cầu nguyện là xin cho những lễ
vật mà chúng ta dâng lên Thiên Chúa có thể mang lại cho chúng ta
được sức mạnh trong ơn cứu rỗi của Thiên Chúa.
Lạy Chúa Giêsu,
như Chúa đã dạy chúng con cách thức để vào
được Nước Thiên
Chúa, Xin Chúa giải thoát chúng con thoát khỏi con đường tội lỗi và dẫn đưa chúng con đến sự thánh thiện mà Thiên Chúa, Cha
chúng ta đã đòi hỏi nơi chúng con.
Reflection:
A man once asked Jesus what he
must do to inherit eternal life (Mt 19:16-22). On that occasion Jesus responded
with the consolingly simple
answer: “keep the commandments”. In today’s Gospel he goes much further and
calls us to holiness. He may be implicitly referring to the command in Lev 19:2
“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy”. As he develops this theme of
holiness, Jesus speaks in a way reminiscent of the great prophets. Religion
demands a certain level of personal righteousness, but must always take other
people into account.
Then, too, proper attitudes such as
not becoming angry with someone and not using abusive language to another
person will eventually mean a general spirit of reconciliation with others,
even in cases where justice is demanded, reconciliation closely tied in with
the gifts we present at the altar of God. The prayer over the gifts today thus
responds to the Gospel, for we pray that the gifts we offer may bring us God’s
saving power.
Lord Jesus, as you teach us the ways
to the Kingdom of God, free us from sinful ways and lead us to that holiness
which God, Our Father, asks of us.
Friday of the First Week of Lent 2026
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.” Matthew 5:20
Imagine a wife asked her husband to go to the
supermarket and pick up a pound of potatoes. Being literal, he went to the
store, found a pound of potatoes, picked them up, set them back down, and
returned home. When his wife asks where the potatoes are, he explains that
they’re still at the store. Confused, she asks why he didn’t bring them home,
and he responds, “You only asked me to ‘pick them up.’”
While this example might be humorous, it
illustrates an essential truth about following instructions. The husband might
have technically fulfilled the request but missed the deeper meaning. In much
the same way, the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ time scrupulously followed
the letter of God’s Law but often failed to grasp the spirit behind it.
Jesus addresses this issue directly in today’s Gospel. The Law,
as given by God through Moses, was summed up in the Ten Commandments. But Jesus
came to reveal the deeper meaning behind those commands. For example, He
explains the true meaning of the commandment, “You shall not kill.”
On the surface, one might think that as long
as you don’t physically murder someone, you are free from guilt. But Jesus
shows that this commandment goes far beyond the act of murder. He reveals that
the commandment also forbids less serious internal and external sins.
Jesus identifies three levels of sin related
to this commandment. First is anger. Anger is an interior disposition; of the
three sins, it is the least severe. It begins with a judgmental thought or
condemnation and often results in feelings of anger. Though feelings are not
sinful, allowing anger to take root due to rash judgment or contempt is a sin,
even if no further action is taken. Jesus warns that harboring anger makes a
person “liable to judgment.”
The second level of sin is verbal,
specifically calling someone Raqa. This Aramaic term is a
derogatory insult, meaning someone is empty-headed or worthless. Such an insult
externalizes anger and reveals a more profound disdain for the person and a
failure to recognize the person’s worth in God’s eyes. Speaking this way to
someone shows a lack of respect for his or her dignity as a child of God. Jesus
warns that those who commit this sin will be “answerable to the Sanhedrin.” In
other words, not only will God hold them accountable, but they may also need
fraternal correction from family, friends, or the Church if they fail to
repent.
The most serious offense Jesus mentions is
calling someone, “You fool!” In biblical terms, calling someone a fool is more
than just an insult; it is a condemnation of the person’s character. In
Scripture, a fool is someone who rejects God and lives in moral corruption, as
in Psalm 14:1, “The
fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” To call someone a fool, therefore,
is to cast judgment on the person’s soul, associating that individual with
someone who is cut off from God’s grace. Jesus is stern in His warning: those
who condemn others this way will be “liable to fiery Gehenna.”
Reflect today on Jesus’ teaching about the
deeper meaning of this and other commandments. Lent is a time of turning away
from sin and returning to God. If you struggle with anger, examine its roots.
If rash judgment is at the heart of it, seek God’s mercy and repent to find
peace. If you’ve hurt others with critical or condemning words, especially if
you’ve judged their moral character, confess this grave sin and remember that
God alone is the Judge. Strive to fulfill not only the letter of God’s Law but
also its spirit, and your life will bear abundant fruit.
My meek and humble Lord, though You are
merciful, You are also just. I turn to Your mercy today, seeking forgiveness
and grace to overcome the sin of anger and all that comes with it. Free me from
judgmental thoughts, and help me love others with Your merciful Heart. Jesus, I
trust in You.
Friday of the First Week of Lent 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord God, grant me your grace today so that I can share in
your righteousness. Do not let me break communion with you. I want to live in
your love and be your faithful child.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Interior Righteousness: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his
disciples that they need to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and
Pharisees to be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. How is it that our
righteousness can surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees? First, the
righteousness of the Pharisees was very external, while ours needs to be both
external and internal. The righteousness of the Pharisees was based on external
obedience and conformity to the law’s regulations. But this led the Pharisees
to fall into hypocrisy. They put on a good show for others, but their hearts
were far from God. Jesus gave us several examples of how to internalize our
living of God’s Law. The Law of Moses prohibited the external act of murder;
Jesus’ New Law prohibits the internal act of anger and calling our brother,
“imbecile,” “idiot,” or “fool.” There is also a positive side to Jesus’ New
Law: we need to actively seek reconciliation with others.
2. Righteousness towards Our Opponents: A second way our righteousness can
surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees is by “settling with our opponents.”
The one who is truly righteous reconciles not just with their brothers and
sisters, but also with their “opponents.” The Pharisees thought that they
needed to reinforce the separation between them and their enemies, the
Gentiles. There was no question of dealing with, interacting with, or settling
with them. But Jesus wants us to overcome the separation and division caused by
sin.
3. Grace Empowered Righteous Works: The third way our righteousness needs to and
can surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees is through the grace of Christ.
The righteousness that the Pharisees sought was based largely on their own
efforts to fulfill the Law of Moses. This was a point brought out especially in
Paul’s Letter to the Romans and in his Letter to the Galatians (3:11). The Old
Covenant, the Law of Moses, did not give people the power to do what was right.
The big difference between the Old Covenant and the New is the gift of the Holy
Spirit. Jesus pours out the Spirit, who gives us the power to keep God’s law.
Paul calls the Torah of Moses “the letter” and associates the New Covenant with
the Spirit: “The letter stands for the Torah, an external law given through
Moses that condemns disobedience but offers no inward assistance toward
obedience. The gospel has made this an obsolete or antiquated way of serving
God. Now, with the advent of messianic grace, believers are released from its
condemnation (Romans 8:1). Christians possess a new law: ‘the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:2). The Spirit dwells within and empowers
from within, supplying the love (Romans 5:5) we need to fulfill the law
(13:8-10). It is not a matter, then, of discarding the Torah in messianic
times, but of fulfilling it with a new ability that comes from God (Romans
8:4)”
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to live righteously. This is
only possible because you have merited divine grace for us. Your grace is
powerful and brings me to share in your divine life. Grant me your grace today!
Friday Frist week of Lent 2024
“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.” Matthew 5:26
Was our Lord here giving legal advice regarding a criminal or
civil case and how to avoid prosecution? Certainly not. He was presenting us
with an image of Himself as the just Judge. And He was exhorting us to show
mercy to anyone and everyone who could be seen as our “opponent.”
Forgiveness of another is essential. It can never be withheld. But
forgiveness is actually not even enough. The ultimate goal must be
reconciliation, which goes much further. In this Gospel above, Jesus exhorts us
to “settle” with our opponents, therein implying reconciliation. The RSV
version of the Bible says it this way, “Make friends quickly with your
accuser…” Working to foster a “friendship” with one who has accused you,
especially if it is a false accusation, goes far beyond simply forgiving them.
To reconcile with another and to reestablish a true friendship
means that you not only forgive but also do all you can to ensure that you
reestablish a relationship of love with that person. It means that you both put
your grievance behind you and start anew. Of course, that takes both people to
cooperate in love; but, for your part, it means that you work hard to establish
this reconciliation.
Think about someone who has hurt you, and, as a result, your
relationship with them has been damaged. Have you prayerfully forgiven that
person before God? Have you prayed for that person and asked God to forgive
them? If so, then you are now ready for the next step of reaching out to them
in love to mend your relationship. This takes great humility, especially if the
other person was the cause of the hurt and especially if they have not spoken
words of sorrow to you, asking for your forgiveness. Don’t wait for them to do
so. Look for ways to show that person that you love them and want to heal the
hurt. Don’t hold their sin before them or hold on to a grudge. Seek only love
and mercy.
Jesus concludes this exhortation with strong words. Essentially,
if you fail to do all you can to reconcile and reestablish your relationship,
you will be held accountable for it. Though this may seem unfair at first, it
is clearly not, because this is the depth of mercy that our Lord offers us
every day. We will never be adequately sorry for our sin, but God forgives and
reconciles with us anyway. What a grace! But if we fail to offer this same
mercy to others, we essentially limit God’s ability to offer this mercy to us,
and we will be required to pay back “the last penny” of our own debt to God.
Reflect, today, upon the person who comes to mind with whom you
need to fully reconcile and rekindle a relationship of love. Pray for this
grace, commit yourself to it and look for opportunities to do so. Do it without
reserve and you will never regret your decision.
My most merciful Lord, I thank You for forgiving me and for loving
me with such perfection and totality. Thank You for reconciling with me despite
my imperfect contrition. Give me a heart, dear Lord, that always seeks to love
the sinner in my life. Help me to offer mercy to the fullest extent in
imitation of Your divine mercy. Jesus, I trust in You.
Friday 1st
week of Lent 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, grant me your grace today so that I can share in
your righteousness. Do not let me break communion with you. I want to live in
your love and be your faithful child.
Encountering the Word of God
1 . Individual Repentance: While the Book of
Leviticus gives guidelines for an annual repentance by the community of Israel,
the prophet Ezekiel speaks about the need for individual repentance and
conversion from sin. The sinner can convert to good just as the righteous
person can turn to evil. God, Ezekiel teaches, does not rejoice when the wicked
die in their sin. Rather, God rejoices when a person turns away from sin and
begins to enjoy new life! This message from Ezekiel fills us with hope. Our
past sins, once they are forgiven by God, are not a cause for despair. If God
were to hold all our past sins against us, then the Psalmist rightly asks: “Who
can stand before the Lord?” It is only through divine forgiveness, through
washing ourselves in the Blood of the Lamb, that we can stand before God in the
heavenly Temple. With the Lord there is true redemption and mercy!
2. True Righteousness: In the Gospel, Jesus
teaches us that he has come to call sinners. Jesus’ message reaches the ears of
those who humbly recognize their need for God. Yet his message also falls on
the deaf ears of the Pharisees who think they are righteous because of the deeds
they accomplish. The scribes and Pharisees unwittingly trusted in their
external, detailed fulfillment of the Law of Moses. They forgot, however, the
heart of God’s Law – that true holiness and righteousness are bound to the love
of God and neighbor. That is why Jesus exhorts his disciples to surpass the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. The condition for entry into the
Kingdom is not the external and Pharisaical fulfillment of the Law of Moses,
but child-like simplicity and humility, repentance from sin, and true
righteousness based on collaboration with the grace merited for us by Christ.
3. Reconciliation: Jesus’ exhortation to true
righteousness is followed by the command to be reconciled with those we have
offended. In this way, Jesus brings the Fifth Commandment to fulfillment and
shows that it excludes being angry with others, judging others, and expressing
our anger by calling someone an idiot or a fool. Peace, and not anger, is the
path to holiness. Unrighteous anger destroys relationships; authentic peace
builds them up. Both Ezekiel and Matthew invite us today to be reconciled with
God, to turn from sin, and to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to
live righteously. This is possible because you merited grace for us. Your grace
is powerful and brings me to share in your divine life. Grant me your grace
today!
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