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

When we started Lent on Ash Wednesday my home church celebrated Holy Communion (ie Mass, the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper) and used the words of The Litany. Historically, this was a penitential processional service used in time of trouble or to express sorrow for sins, and it consists of short requests to God said by the priest with a brief response from the choir or congregation. Henry VIII first ordered it to be produced in English in 1643 when England was at war simultaneously with Scotland and France since he felt that the people did not understand the Latin text!

We often try to observe a Holy Lent, and put ourselves right with God, but find it extremely difficult. Today's words by Jesus in Matthew's Gospel remind us that even to be angry with someone is to call judgement upon oneself. We must aim to make our inward thoughts change for the better, and then to match these to our outward actions. This is an impossible task on our own, only with God's help can forgiveness and changed attitudes be achieved. Notice that the warning about reconciliation with another person is particularly strong, and we are to settle our differences before we worship God.

Note: The Litany is traditionally written in 7 segments. Parts 1, 2 and 7 are written below to be used for our private prayer today.

The Litany:

1.
God the Father,
have mercy upon us.

God the Son,
have mercy upon us.

God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy upon us.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity,
have mercy upon us.

2.
From all evil and mischief;
from pride, vanity and hypocrisy;
from envy, hatred and malice;
and from all evil intent,
good Lord, deliver us.

From sloth, worldliness and love of money;
from hardness of heart
and contempt for your word and your laws,
good Lord, deliver us.

From sins of body and mind;
from the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil,
good Lord, deliver us.

From famine and disaster;
from violence, murder and dying unprepared,
good Lord, deliver us.

In all times of sorrow;
in all times of joy;
in the hour of death,
and at the day of judgement,
good Lord, deliver us.

7.
Give us true repentance;
forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance
and our deliberate sins;
and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit
to amend our lives according to your holy word.
Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal,
have mercy upon us.

(Amen)