“For I tell you, unless
your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).
Dear Sisters and
Brothers, Peace and Love of Christ be with you!!!!
As we journey through
this holy season of Lent, the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel strike at the
very core of our call to conversion and authentic discipleship. Lent is a time
of self-examination, a season for allowing God's grace to shape us into true children
of the Kingdom. Today, Jesus presents a challenge that might have sounded
shocking to His first listeners: Your righteousness must surpass that of the
scribes and Pharisees! What does this mean? How can we go beyond the
religious rigor of those who were known for their strict observance of the Law?
1. The Heart of
Righteousness (dikaiosýnē)
The word Jesus uses for righteousness
(dikaiosýnē) is not mere legal compliance, but a right relationship
with God and others. The righteousness that Jesus speaks of is not about
external adherence to religious practices; it is an interior transformation, a
heart that seeks holiness not out of obligation but out of love. The Pharisees
followed the Law with precision, yet their hearts often remained cold and
distant from the spirit of the Law (cf. Matthew 23:27). Jesus is calling us to
something deeper, a righteousness that springs from an intimate communion with
God, a life that reflects mercy, justice, and humility (Micah 6:8).
The True Meaning of
"You Shall Not Kill" (phoneúō)
Jesus moves beyond a
surface-level interpretation of the Fifth Commandment, "You shall not
kill" (Exodus 20:13). He teaches that true righteousness is not simply
about avoiding murder, but about eradicating from our hearts every root of anger,
resentment, and hatred.
- The Greek verb (phoneúō),
meaning to kill, is not limited to physical murder but extends to
every way in which we wound, destroy, or diminish another person.
- We may not be
guilty of literal homicide, but how often have we assassinated
others with our words, our judgments, our gossip, or our indifference?
- Lent is a time
to confront not only our external sins but the hidden sins of the heart, the
silent grudges, the cold shoulders, the lingering resentments that
distance us from both God and neighbor.
Reconciliation Before
Worship: The Urgency of Peace (diallassomai)
Jesus then challenges
our understanding of offering: if you are offering your gift at the altar
and remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your
gift and first be reconciled (Matthew 5:23-24). Here, the Greek word for
"reconcile" (diallassomai) is striking, it denotes not just a
superficial peace, but a deep restoration of relationship.
- In Jewish
culture, the altar was the most sacred place of encounter with God. Jesus
tells us that human reconciliation takes priority over ritual worship!
- How can we
stand before God with an unforgiving heart? How can we lift our hands in
prayer while holding onto resentment?
- This Lent,
Jesus is calling us to urgency in forgiveness. Reconciliation is not optional;
it is the very path to the Father’s heart (cf. Matthew 6:14-15).
Settle Matters Quickly:
The Wisdom of Mercy
Finally, Jesus warns: Come
to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court
(Matthew 5:25). The "accuser" here may represent those we have
wronged, but it can also symbolize our own conscience, which testifies against
us before God. We must not delay in making things right with others, for we do
not know how much time we have. Lent is a season of grace, an opportunity to soften
our hearts before it is too late. Today is the day to forgive. Today is the day
to heal. Today is the day to let go of old wounds and embrace the liberating mercy
of Christ.
A Call to Authentic
Conversion
Dear brothers and
sisters, Jesus is not asking us for superficial religiosity but for radical
love, a love that cleanses the heart from anger, a love that prioritizes
reconciliation over empty offerings, a love that mirrors the mercy of the
Father. This is the righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and
Pharisees; this is the righteousness that opens the doors of the Kingdom.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us examine our
hearts:
Are we harboring resentment or unforgiveness?
Is our worship rooted in a pure heart or merely in external observance?
Are we willing to take the first step toward reconciliation?
The time is now. Christ
stands at the door, calling us to a higher righteousness, a righteousness born
of love. Let us embrace His call and be transformed from within.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy" (Matthew 5:7).
Amen.
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