By Ishongkun Kurbah csc –
Readings: Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26
Today’s liturgy of the word reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son and his brother. The prodigal son was lost and ‘dead’ as he already walked in wicked ways, squandered his father’s possession in dissolute and by living an immoral life. But he became alive when he realized that he had walked in evil ways and turned back to his father, to begin a new life.
The brother of the prodigal son thought that he was righteous and a just son; and that he deserved better treatment than his brother who had squandered the family’s wealth in reckless living, because he had been following his father’s commands, working hard like a slave, and had never asked a single goat to celebrate with his friends.
However, he was not a righteous one, and his father did not approve his attitude. To be righteous means a person who is, loving, merciful, gentle, and humble. We neither see these qualities in the brother of the prodigal son nor in the Pharisees and the Scribes. The Pharisees and Scribes were those who followed their traditions and laws strictly and meticulously. However, they were not merciful and kind as they were blind to the needs and the struggles of the common people.
Therefore, in today’s gospel, Jesus demands that if we want to be part of the heavenly kingdom, our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and the Pharisees. To be righteous and just, we must be gentle in our heart so that we are not led into sin when overwhelmed with anger. We must be loving and kind, because in love and kindness, we will not insult and degrade or treat others with contempt. To be a righteous person, we must practice humility.
In humility, we are enabled to accept our shortcoming and mistakes, and it is in acceptance that we are led to reconciliation. A humble person will take a first step towards reconciliation.