First Reading - Ezekiel 18:21-28
Gospel - Matthew 5:20-26
In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks about the righteousness of God, which is revealed in His faithfulness to His promises. God’s righteousness is manifested through His justice and mercy. He is just in that He administers judgment for sins committed, yet He is also merciful, offering forgiveness to those who repent and turn back to Him. The prophet emphasizes that God's standard of justice and mercy differs from human standards. While human justice often labels people permanently based on their past actions—believing that sinners remain sinners—God judges according to a person’s present state. A sinner who repents and turns to righteousness will receive God’s mercy, while a righteous person who falls into sin without repentance will face His justice. This reversal challenges us to be mindful of our actions, as our choices determine our standing before God. The message is clear: we must remain reconciled with God through a life of righteousness.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to live out the demands of true discipleship. He teaches that righteousness is not merely about strict legal observance, as practiced by the scribes and Pharisees, but about a transformation of the heart. True righteousness, according to Jesus, is demonstrated in peace and reconciliation with one another. He warns against sins such as murder, anger, and insults, showing that sin often begins in the heart before it manifests in action. Thus, Jesus urges His disciples to seek reconciliation with those they have wronged before offering sacrifices to God. This highlights that our relationship with God is deeply connected to our relationships with others.
Dear friends, righteousness is the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. The prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God shows mercy to the righteous, while Jesus teaches us that righteousness goes beyond external practices and requires us to seek peace and reconciliation. The scribes and Pharisees were seen as models of righteousness because of their strict adherence to the Law, but Jesus challenges us to exceed their righteousness by fostering true harmony with one another. This means that our external acts of piety—prayers, fasting, and religious observances—are meaningful only if they are accompanied by a sincere effort to be at peace with God and others. Otherwise, they risk becoming empty rituals, much like the Pharisees' legalistic approach to righteousness.
Jesus invites us to address the root causes of division and discord. Murder, for example, often stems from unchecked anger, and anger is fueled by hurtful words. Jesus warns us against using offensive language that can provoke resentment and lead to deeper conflicts. Instead, He calls us to take the initiative in seeking reconciliation, even when we believe the other person is at fault. This teaching challenges human expectations, as we often wait for the offender to apologize. But Jesus flips this expectation—He asks us to make the first move toward peace. This radical approach to forgiveness is the path to true righteousness.
Let us pray for the grace to live righteous lives, not just in outward appearances but in the way God desires—through love, mercy, and reconciliation.
.jpeg)
0 Comments