Matthew 5:20-26
It is the Father of Lies, the great Accuser, who leads me into the snare of accusing those who accuse me. So often I judge the one who is accusing me, rather than come to terms with him /her. As Jesus preached, this judgement leads to smouldering anger and resentments, both in the one who accuses, and the one who is accused. Smouldering anger in turn easily bursts into flames of verbal assault, where labels are assigned, gossip is passed on and carefully crafted insults are spewed out. Each person in the conflict, both accused and accuser, begins to perceive each other objectively, as a de-humanized assailant, rather than as another fallible person caught in the complexities of life. How do I avoid such a downward spiral of depravity and toxic sin? By ‘coming to terms quickly with my accuser’, says the Lord. Instead of fostering disconnection, Jesus calls us to communicate. Instead of objectivising one another, I am to realize that he or she is my brother, my sister. Instead of letting conflict drag me into the fires of hell, Jesus calls me to the ultimate statement of reconciliation: ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’ Am I willing to follow Jesus into his ways of forgiveness and peace? Holy Spirit, help me come to terms quickly with those who accuse me. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23: 1-2) ) “The man of the true religious tradition understands two things: liberty and obedience. The first means knowing what you really want. The second means knowing what you really trust.” G.K. Chesterton www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com Soli ad gloriam dei
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AuthorBeverly Illauq lives in Kemptville, Ontario, where she greets each morning by seeking the Gospel Mystery of the Day - the Word of the Lord for direct and practical application to the specific challenges & joys of the day. ArchivesCategories |