First reading 1 Kings 18:41-46
‘A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand’
Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go back, eat and drink; for I hear the sound of rain.’ While Ahab went back to eat and drink, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and bowed down to the earth, putting his face between his knees. ‘Now go up,’ he told his servant ‘and look out to the sea.’ He went up and looked. ‘There is nothing at all’ he said. ‘Go back seven times’ Elijah said. The seventh time, the servant said, ‘Now there is a cloud, small as a man’s hand, rising from the sea.’ Elijah said, ‘Go and say to Ahab, “Harness the chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”’ And with that the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and rain fell in torrents. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and tucking up his cloak he ran in front of Ahab as far as the outskirts of Jezreel.
Responsorial Psalm 64(65):10-13
To you our praise is due in Zion, O God.
You care for the earth, give it water,
you fill it with riches.
Your river in heaven brims over
to provide its grain.
And thus you provide for the earth;
you drench its furrows;
you level it, soften it with showers;
you bless its growth.
You crown the year with your goodness.
Abundance flows in your steps,
in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.
The hills are girded with joy.
Gospel Matthew 5:20-26
Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must 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 his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he 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. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
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Love, not anger
Today’s gospel shows the breaking of the Law and also its continuity. Jesus breaks away from the wrongful interpretations and draws out the important objective of the Law: the practice of a greater love. Regarding anger, the Law states that “You shall not kill”. However, Jesus goes beyond it and insists that it is not just to avoid killing but the need to uproot the seeds of anger, resentment and the desire for revenge from within our hearts. Jesus does not want us to have a bitter but loving heart.
Jesus also speaks of reconciliation. Often, we face conflicts and disagreements with others, but we must reconcile by asking for forgiveness and forgiving others. When our hearts are full of God’s love, we will choose to walk the path of reconciliation. In this prayer time, let us ask Jesus to help us set aside anger and pursue reconciliation instead.
Reflective question:
How do Jesus want me to behave before those who have caused hurt to me?
How do Jesus want me to behave before those who have caused hurt to me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
