Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26

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.

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
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."

Reflection

Righteousness is having right relationships, healthy relationships, loving relationships. That's what God wants. Because what He wants is for something in each of us to flow to those in need to be a healing, enlightening experience. So anything that blocks that is a serious sin. Yeah, it's wrong to kill somebody, but it's also wrong to look at somebody as an idiot, a fool, a jerk, and to not want to do anything for them and to tell them that they're not worthy of being helped.

That's breaking the flow and nothing is more serious than that.

Closing Prayer

Father, It's hard for us to love those that we do not agree with. It's hard for us not to judge those who are doing something we determined is wrong. So bless us with the kind of heart that sees that the one thing, the only thing you're asking us to do is to be a source of wisdom, light and help. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross