By Sharon Piuse A csc –
Readings: Ez 18: 21-28; Mt 5: 20-26
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the importance of reconciling oneself with our brothers, sisters, and God. He tells us that our holiness should exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. If not, we will not be able to get into heaven. As the chosen people, the Scribes and Pharisees had the responsibility, to be holy people.
We need to ask ourselves how responsible we are in our efforts to be holy in our daily life. We have the tendency to blame ourselves and others; we tend to question the past for our present way of life. Sometimes, we go to the extreme, taking the blame on ourselves, that which we are not responsible for.
Today’s gospel reading tells us that we need not worry about our past, but we need to reconcile the wrong we did to our brothers and sisters. How is my relationship with Jesus today? We are responsible for the choices we make: either to do good and follow God or do harm and go away from God. There are times we go away from God. If my words and actions reject God, directly or indirectly, it will reflect on my behavior with my brothers and sisters in the community.
The season of Lent assures us, that no matter what was my past, it is forgiven and reconciled through the sacrament of reconciliation. The sin and guilt no longer live. When I choose God in my life, I do not have anything to fear and my relationship with my brothers and sisters will be meaningful too.