1st Week of Lent (C) : Friday 14th March 2025

Ezekiel the prophet was encouraging the Israelites to turn away from a life of sin, to repent, and to live as God would have them live. God would forgive them and not hold their past sins against them. However, Ezekiel pointed out that the righteous must continue living in the way of God or pay the price for turning their backs on God’s law. For once a person knows and understands what God wants, they are responsible to follow God’s way. The Israelites know well the responsibility to heed the commands of the one Lord, however, knowing is one thing and fulfilling them is another.

In similar fashion, Jesus advocates consistency in offering sacrifices and performing deeds of charity. He said that He had not come to abolish the law but to fulfil its primordial purpose. To reiterate His point, He told the disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, who were really the keepers of the law. Jesus further explained this by saying that, while murder was wrong, so was being angry with or insulting a brother or sister (meaning a fellow follower of Jesus). Furthermore, Jesus admonished the people to make certain that they didn’t offer their gift at the altar if they were not in good relationship with their brother or sister. They must mend that relationship first. Do I find Jesus’ words and deeds consistent? How well do I follow this teaching of Jesus?

Lord, help me to be in the right relationship with You and other people.