Friday of the First Week of Lent
Matthew 5:20-26
Be reconciled!

Today’s Gospel offers a reminder about the inseparable link between our relationship with God and with one another. Jesus teaches that fraternal love is foundational to our faith. The Scribes and Pharisees believed that strict adherence to the Mosaic Law was the only way to draw near to God.

This mindset still exists today in our Church communities. Many people are more concerned with whether an action, like eating meat on Fridays during Lent, is a sin or not. Focusing only on avoiding sin can lead us to fear God’s punishment rather than embracing His love. This kind of legalistic thinking reduces God to a figure of a strict judge, always watching for our mistakes.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus confronts this limited perspective. He explains that the commandment against killing not only forbids the act itself but also urges us to steer clear ofhatred, anger, and even damaging words. Physical murder is merely the outward expression of a deeper spiritual violence originating from the heart. How often do we approach God’saltar during Mass while holding onto anger or unresolved conflicts with others?

The Word of God warns us that anger when left unchecked, can lead to deeper harm. Before we approach the Eucharist, we must first seek reconciliation with our brothers and sisters. The Mass itself is a moment of reconciliation, beginning with the act of contrition and continuing through the sign of peace. But how often do we let the sign of peace become a hollow gesture, lacking true meaning? Let us restore its depth and truly be reconciled with one another so that we can truly share in the Body and Blood of Christ.

“Be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24)

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