"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."
(Matthew 5:24-25)
This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus is teaching His disciples about the nature of righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. He emphasizes not just the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law, extending the commandment against murder to include anger and insults. He also underscores the importance of reconciliation and settling disputes quickly.
"From the lips of Jesus, a truth unfolds,
righteousness must surpass the scribes and Pharisees of old.
'Thou shall not kill,' so it was told,
yet deeper wisdom, His words hold.
Anger towards a brother, a judgment invites,
a harsh word spoken, the Sanhedrin incites. '
You fool,' if said, to fiery Gehenna it ignites,
in the heart, the battle of right and wrong fights.
If at the altar, a gift you present,
and recall a brother's resentment,
leave your gift, let your steps be bent,
first be reconciled, let your heart repent.
With your opponent, make amends,
before to court, the path extends.
Lest the judge to prison sends,
pay the last penny, or confinement never ends."
Lord Jesus,
We hear Your words, clear and profound, calling us to righteousness, to a faith that's sound. May our deeds surpass those of scribes and Pharisees so we may enter the Kingdom of heaven, find eternal peace.
You remind us of the commandment, 'You shall not kill,' but extend it further, to anger that does ill. Help us control our anger, our words keep in check, lest we face judgment, our relationships wreck. If we bring a gift to the altar, and there recall, that our brother has something against us, however small, help us leave our gift, go first and make amends, then come and offer our gift, for love transcends. Guide us to settle with our opponent quickly, without delay, lest we be handed over to the judge, have a heavy price to pay for as You say, we will not be released until we have paid the last penny, Help us live in righteousness, in love, in harmony.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT THE LAW/TEACHING ABOUT ANGER
Matthew 5:17-20/21-26
20 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. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 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. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 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. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:20-26)
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
Published:
February 23, 2024, 8:00 AM
