Todays Gospel March 14 Introduction Jesus picks up the same theme as Ezekiel and places it within the context of the faith of the most prominent religious leaders of His time. This displeased the scribes and the Pharisees. Apart from the fact that they are used as a negative example, Jesus is also not afraid to let people know that He is not impressed by how the scribes and the Pharisees live. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Matthew 5:20-26 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 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. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Reflection and sharing Fr. Joel Jason of kerygmafamily HASTA MAÑANA It was semestral break in the seminary. One morning, I did a general room cleaning. In the afternoon, I opened my letters which had already accumulated to a pile about six-inch thick. My attention was caught by an unusual envelope which had nothing written on it but the words “Enjoy.” I opened it and inside was a free meal stub for two at my favorite restaurant, sent by a friend. My heart skipped a beat. I will have a good dinner. But when I checked the back of the stub. the promo had already expired. This reminded me of a story about a man named Bill. He had never gone to church in his life. One day, he said, “When it freezes in June (June is summer time in the States), then I will go to church.” One year there was an unusually cold spring and it stayed that way into June. The temperature dipped to freezing point for several nights. Everyone thought about what Bill had said. Perhaps this time he would finally attend church. And he did. One Sunday, Bill made his first appearance in the church building: the organ was playing, six men carried him in. Bill finally made it, but he was lying in a casket instead of sitting on a pew. Don’t wait until you’re “frozen” before you decide to enter God’s house. Meditate on today’s First Reading. Ezekiel speaks of the need for the wicked man to turn away from his sins, for a time of accounting will come. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of settling issues with an opponent. Like me and Bill, we are all fond of the mañana habit, or putting off for tomorrow what can and should be done today. More frightening is spiritual procrastination, for he who procrastinates in this life will have an eternity to regret it. Let me end by reconstructing a poem once forwarded to me. I love to be with God’s people to read the Bible and pray, To sing songs of salvation, so I’ll go to church today. But procrastination is my sin, it has brought me nothing but sorrow. Ah, I know, I shall be converted… Tomorrow.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 00:17:08 +0000
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