Reading
Matthew 5:20-26
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Meditation
The scribes and Pharisees were teachers of the law and were reputed to be great observers of the law. Jesus asks us to "surpass them" not by limiting ourselves to purely external obedience, but by seeking the rigor of charity. He speaks with the authority of a legislator and not as a simple interpreter or commentator of the law - "I tell you" (v. 20), not "so says the Lord" - and deepens the precepts given by God on Sinai, bringing them to full completion. On Calvary, hanging on the cross, he will fix on it the supreme law of love.
Jesus considers anger and insults, which according to their degree of gravity were condemned (even to death) by a local court or the Sanhedrin, deserving of Gehenna, the valley of Hinnom, located south of Jerusalem, cursed by King Josiah (because it was the seat of the cult of Moloch, to whom human sacrifices were offered) and destined to be the garbage dump of the city. Since fire burned continuously in Gehenna, in the Gospel it is taken as a symbol of Hell.
The rigor to which Jesus refers makes us understand how difficult it is for man to fully fulfill his precepts. The only righteousness by which the sinner can be justified is the perfect righteousness of Christ, imputed to our salvation by faith in him. This does not, however, exempt us from the commitment on the path of sanctification, which grace prompts us to follow.
Jesus invites us to immediately seek reconciliation when we enter into contention with someone and establishes the primacy of fraternal relationships over the same sacrificial cult at the temple, the heart of Jewish religiosity. The way to present ourselves before God in adoration passes through reconciliation with our neighbor.
Prayer
Teach us to look to you, o Lord, who are meek and humble of heart; so that by fixing our gaze on your Passion we can learn to offer forgiveness to our enemies. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
