1st FRIDAY IN LENT - Gospel (Matthew 5:20-26) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
FIRST READING - Ezek 18:21-28
" Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?"
A reading from the Book of Ezekiel
21 But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die! 22 None of the crimes he has committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the justice he has shown. 23 Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked—oracle of the Lord God? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?
24 And if the just turn from justice and do evil, like all the abominations the wicked do, can they do this evil and still live? None of the justice they did shall be remembered, because they acted treacherously and committed these sins; because of this, they shall die. 25 You say, “The Lord’s way is not fair!”[a] Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair? Are not your ways unfair? 26 When the just turn away from justice to do evil and die, on account of the evil they did they must die. 27 But if the wicked turn from the wickedness they did and do what is right and just, they save their lives; 28 since they turned away from all the sins they committed, they shall live; they shall not die.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 5:20-26
"Go first and be reconciled with your brother."
✠From the Gospel according to Matthew
20 I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[a] 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’[b] 22 [c]But I say to you, whoever is angry[d] with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
1st FRIDAY IN LENT - Gospel (Matthew 5:20-26)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear people of God,
In today's Word of God, Jesus teaches His disciples of both the past and present—namely, the priests, those living a consecrated life, and all who wholeheartedly, faithfully, and loyally follow Him to live righteously before Him; do not live in deceit or hypocrisy of outward appearances like the scribes and Pharisees of old.
Those to whom God grants grace and to those whom He reveals His plan and intentions must live according to His teachings; otherwise, they will have to give an account before God for their sins many times over compared to those who have not received God’s revelation.
Today's Word of God reveals that Jesus came into the world to fulfill the law; He made the old law more perfect.
Thus, “not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter” can be changed, which means: to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must live exactly according to His teachings; especially, we must live by the word: 'love'.
Today, God teaches humanity that while there is still opportunity to live in this world, being on a pilgrimage toward Him, let us live in love and forgiveness, let us be humble and abase ourselves before God to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters.
For, in God’s sight, to reach His Kingdom of Heaven, we must possess a pure and radiant soul and a heart capable of love; for in God—the One rich in mercy—there can be no hatred, envy, jealousy, nor arrogance.
God also forewarns us that if anyone sins, or if anyone still harbors hatred toward our brothers and sisters, we will have to undergo a very long expiation in eternal purgatory, not knowing when our temporal punishment will end, so that we may enter His Heavenly Kingdom.
Therefore, while still living in this world and having the opportunity, let us listen to and live by the Word of God; do not turn a deaf ear to His Word, for the Word of God is the most perfect Word in this world, the Word is Spirit and Life.
There is no word, no lesson that teaches wisdom as profoundly as the Word of Jesus in the Holy Scriptures, nor is there any teaching as gracious, meticulous, thorough, and full of love as the Real Present Word of God given to each person who petitions God the Father through His chosen Angel.
God loves mankind, and He shows us how to live so that we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whoever is wise should live and act according to the Word of God, so that hereafter we may not suffer remorse, nor have to undergo expiation in purgatory and hell.
For God is perfectly just and righteous, even the smallest sin must be atoned for.
Therefore, in every moment of our daily lives, let us strive to live well according to His teachings, so that hereafter we may not have to render an account before the judgment seat of God.
Today, God calls upon humanity to keep our hearts pure and blameless before God, and live in love and concord with our brothers and sisters; do not harbor malice or envy.
For God will unexpectedly call anyone out of this world, and no one can know in advance when death will come for us.
God also reveals that in purgatory and hell, souls are suffering greatly as they make reparation for their sins, their hatred, and their envy.
Because God loves mankind, He forewarns us so that we may resolve to return to Him, to return to live and practice His teachings in order to attain everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven in the world to come.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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