THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Friday of the First Week of Lent, 2023 

Ezk 18:21-28

Ps 130

Matt 5:20-26

Go and be reconciled

In the gospel reading(Mt 5:20-26), Jesus calls for a virtue that goes deeper than the virtue of the scribes and Pharisees. In a sense, he is calling for a more radical virtue, that is more deeply rooted in God’s word. As an example of this deeper virtue, the command not to kill becomes in Jesus’ teaching the call not to be angry and not to engage in name-calling; it also becomes the call to work for reconciliation with those who are estranged from us. 

Jesus looks for more than the Jewish law looks for. He is always calling us to a deeper virtue than the virtue we presently possess. There is a radical quality to the call of Jesus and his teaching. He never allows us to settle and to become comfortable with where we are. He disturbs us in a good sense because he is always calling us beyond where we are. 

In Lent we try to listen to what that call might mean for each of us here and now, trusting that the Lord will give us the grace to respond to his call to a deeper virtue.

Let us pray: Lord, do not judge us according to our sins. Just as you have been merciful to us, give us the grace to be merciful to others by pardoning their faults. Amen.

+Reman blessed