Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

During 40 years of ministry I have only come across a few church members who were really struggling with the forgiveness of other people so that they felt they couldn't receive the bread and wine at a Communion Service. One of these was a church treasurer who suddenly didn't come to the altar rail. I queried what was wrong, and he said, "I can't forgive X for what he said to me at our last council meeting!" I asked if he had confessed to God his lack of forgiveness. It turned out he hadn't - after all he felt he was in the right and had nothing to confess!

We have seen how the Pharisees endeavoured to obey the Law of Moses, and how with the help of the Scribes they had taken the broad principles and reduced them to thousands of minute rules and regulations. Jesus is not applauding them in today's reading, but argues that no-one can hope to obey all of these. He also redefines the Law, pointing out that thinking is as bad as doing. As murder is forbidden, so also is the anger that we might harbour against another person.

The following week in church I noticed the two men were greeting each other with handshakes. It turned out that they had independently apologised to each other and to God. Reconciled they came to the altar together. These two were to be the mainstay of that particular congregation for many years to come.

Lord Jesus,
as You remind us
that it is as bad to hold anger in our heart
against another person,
as it is to actually harm them.
You know our frailty,
and we ask Your help
in overcoming our sin.
May we acknowledge our
faults and ask forgiveness
as well as putting right the offense.
Amen.