June 12, Thursday Weekday

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.--Psalm 65:2

Mass readings: 1 Kings 18:41-46 / Matthew 5:20-26

Going to the Root

In today's Gospel Jesus radicalizes (goes to the root of) the commandment against murder. It was never God's intention to suggest that discord was OK so long as it stopped just short of murder. (I kept the commandment -- I didn't actually kill him.) So Jesus warns against anger that can lead to murder. He tells the disciples not to call anyone ''Raqa'' (''fool'') and then He uses a hyperbole: If you travel from Galilee to the altar at the Jerusalem Temple, buy your sacrificial animal, and then remember your brother back in Galilee has something against you, then leave the animal, return to Galilee, reconcile, head for Jerusalem, find the animal and then offer it.

Something to do literally? No. But Jesus does make us stop to think how destructive simmering anger can be.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may Your grace help us keep watch over the thoughts in our hearts.