Daily Word Of God
Matthew 5:20-24
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven.
‘You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother “Fool” will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him “Traitor” will answer for it in hell fire.
‘So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Jesus says that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must have an uprightness that “surpasses” that of the scribes and Pharisees who conformed strictly to the Jewish Laws.
- Jesus’ concern is our sincere love of God and neighbour especially the poor and needy and not the mere external conformity to Laws.
- How sincere are we in obeying the Laws of the Church e.g. Sunday Mass attendance, Sacrament of Reconciliation and the sharing of our gifts and time with others?