ANGER AND FORGIVENESS (MT 5: 21-26)
“God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance.
The LORD looks into the heart " (1 Sm 16: 7b)
The Lord God gave people the 10 commandments through Moses. The fifth is, "You shall not kill" (cf. Ex 20:13). But what does this commandment mean? The Lord Jesus gives us the answer in today's biblical text. Why does the Son of God consider it important to explain to us the meaning of this commandment? After all, it seems so obvious in its message. The Lord Jesus begins with the words: "You have heard that it was said" The Pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders of that time taught the people that this commandment forbids only murder.
Jesus Christ tells us how deep in our hearts is the source of all sin. Its very intention is a sin. He says to us: "And I tell you." Who can speak like this, in this tone, but a being from heaven, someone who has absolute authority over the world? Only God can say, "And I tell you."
"But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment."(cf. Mt. 5:22)In the above context, can we be surprised by the words from the 1st Letter of St. John?
“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him" (cf. 1 John 3:15).
Hatred has no place in the heart of a Christian. Hatred is a sin; it is a crime of the fifth commandment. So, what should we do? First of all, forgive. Just as we are forgiven for the sins which we admit to God, so the Lord expects us to treat our neighbors on earth in the same way: “and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (cf. Mt 6:12).
These are not empty words in the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught us. And who can teach us about forgiveness, but the one who, a few years later, in his suffering on the cross, cried out: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (cf. Lk 23:34). This is what we are to do if we truly are his followers. We cannot have peace with God if our affairs with other people remain unresolved. This is what the following verses tell us: “Leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (cf. Mt. 5:24)Reflection and repentance are the gifts we should offer to God. But first, we have to straighten out the relationship with our brother, neighbor, colleague, stranger. Every other person is our brother.
"Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him" (cf. Mt 5:25). In this verse we have a reminder that only now, while we are here on earth on pilgrimage, we have a chance to be reconciled with people. After our death, when Jesus Christ comes again to judge the living and the dead, it will be too late. So, let us put our affairs in order while we still have time for it. With people and with God Almighty.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george