23 February 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: IS YOUR BURDEN TOO HEAVY FOR YOU TO FORGIVE?

First Reading: Ezekiel 18: 21-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Verse Before the Gospel: Ezekiel 18: 31
Gospel: Matthew 5: 20-26

Jesus calls for a virtue that goes deeper than the virtues of the scribes and pharisees. In a sense, he is calling for a virtue that is more radical, that is more deeply rooted in God’s word. He affirms the value of the Jewish Law but goes beyond it in various ways. At the beginning of the Gospel reading Jesus quotes from the Ten Commandments “You shall not kill”. However, He goes beyond the commandment by prohibiting attitudes and behaviors that could eventually lead to killing. He discourages anger, not the anger that is part and parcel of every person’s emotional life, but the nurturing of anger that can lead to destructive action.

Jesus goes on to speak about the need to be reconciled with someone who has something against us and calls on us to reach out to that someone. He suggests that this work of reconciliation takes priority over the act of worship. In various ways in this Gospel reading, Jesus speaks about the importance of doing our best to build relationships with others.

This is the 1397th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Jess Ferrer, Head of the CFC Migrants Program, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just