Daily Readings - Fri Mar 03 2023
Ezekiel
21"But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.22None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.23Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?24But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.25"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?26When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die.27Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life.28Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Matthew
20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound teachings on justice, repentance, and reconciliation, offering us a path to deeper righteousness. Ezekiel reminds us of God's merciful judgment, emphasizing that each individual is responsible for their actions and that repentance can lead to life. This message, directed to exiles in Babylon, reassures us that God's judgment is fair and that turning away from sin brings forgiveness.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of sin, teaching that it encompasses not just actions but also our thoughts and emotions. He calls us to reconciliation, urging us to mend broken relationships even before worshiping. This teaching, part of the Sermon on the Mount, sets a high standard for His followers, highlighting the importance of harmony in community.
Together, these readings show that true righteousness involves both personal holiness and compassionate relationships. They call us to live with integrity, seeking forgiveness and actively mending our relationships. The core message is that our faith is intertwined with our interactions with others, requiring both a contrite heart and actions that reflect love and justice. Let us embrace this call to live righteously, nurturing our connection with God and others.