THURSDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mt 5:20-26 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the First Book of Kings

1 Kgs 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink,

for there is the sound of a heavy rain."

So Ahab went up to eat and drink,

while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel,

crouched down to the earth,

and put his head between his knees.

"Climb up and look out to sea," he directed his servant,

who went up and looked, but reported, "There is nothing."

Seven times he said, "Go, look again!"

And the seventh time the youth reported,

"There is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea."

Elijah said, "Go and say to Ahab,

'Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.'"

In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind,

and a heavy rain fell.

Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel.

But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah,

who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab

as far as the approaches to Jezreel.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that

of the scribes and Pharisees,

you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,

You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you, whoever is angry 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.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,

and there recall that your brother

has anything against you,

leave your gift there at the altar,

go first and be reconciled with your brother,

and then come and offer your gift.

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.

Amen, I say to you,

you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

THURSDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mt 5:20-26

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In the Word of God today, God wants to tell all humanity that: He clearly sees everything in the thoughts, words, actions, and deeds of humans in this world. God sees clearly who does good deeds and who does bad deeds. Therefore, if humans want to enjoy happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven, they should not do bad things in their thoughts, words, actions, and deeds. Even if Satan tempts us to sin, if we are determined to be faithful and obey the Will of God the Father, we will not commit the sin that displeases Him. Satan is free to tempt humans. And if humans disobey God the Father's teachings, disobey His will, and follow Satan's temptations, we will be punished and have to pay before the justice of God the Father. Therefore, God the Father calls humanity: while living on this earth, everyone should be alert to listen to God the Father's words and put them into practice, not merely listen and then ignore His words.

In God's Word today, God the Father wants to tell humanity that He is a very righteous One, an absolutely upright and infinitely just One. Everyone who sins before God the Father will have to repay justice before Him. Therefore, God the Father always reminds humankind to listen to the words of God and put them into practice. God's teachings are always good for people. God the Father wants people to remember that in the past, before the Son of God came to earth to accompany and be with humans, He taught people how to practice the law, that is: It is only when people commit the crime of murder that they are condemned and sent to hell. But when God the Father's only Son came down to earth to become a human being, He fulfilled God's law of love and He taught it to humanity. God judges humanity according to His fairness and justice, as God's Word teaches: whoever scolds his brother for only being a fool, and whoever only thinks in his thoughts of killing his brother or sister, has also committed a sin, displeased God the Father and that person will also be burned in hell.

Today, God the Father calls everyone:

- To listen to the words of God the Father and put them into practice: stop living in sin, stop living in hatred, jealousy, and selfishness, but show love for our fellow brothers and sisters in thoughts, words, actions, and deeds.

- Do not follow Satan's temptations and instigations to sin. Then Satan will lose and retreat, and people will enjoy happiness with God the Father.

The Word of God today calls humanity to listen to His teachings again and again and put them into practice. Then we will enjoy eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks be to God. Amen.