Friday, March 02, 2012 (Lenten Weekday)

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Inordinate love for the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul.
-- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-2821 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal?
26 When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Psalms: Psalm 130:1-8(A Song of Ascents)1 Out of the depths I have cried to you, Yahweh.
2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.
3 If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you, Therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
6 My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning; More than watchmen for the morning.
7 Israel, hope in Yahweh, For with Yahweh there is loving kindness. With him is abundant redemption.
8 He will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26
(Teaching about Anger)
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.’
22 But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca {“Raca” is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for “empty” and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.}
!’ shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna
{Gehenna is another name for Hell that brings to mind an image of a burning garbage dump with dead bodies in it.}
23 “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
26 Most assuredly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.