The Good News
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:21-24
After Jesus was baptized and spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness, tempted by the devil, He began His ministry in Galilee. When crowds began to follow Him, He went up a mountain, where His disciples followed Him and He began to teach.
The Sermon on the Mount is a set of teachings from Jesus in which He recalls and interprets the old law and offers a new law. This lesson from the Gospel of Matthew sounds more like a list of rules and extremely harsh consequences than Good News. The subjects addressed here are murder, judgment and anger. So, where can we find the Good News in this lesson? The Good News in this lesson is what we learn about the importance of relationships.
Relationships with our brothers and sisters and with God are very important. Here, “brothers and sisters” means members of our community. We desire to come to the altar having reconciled with our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is the beginning of reconciliation and we come to the altar knowing that we have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. And it is the Holy Spirit working through us that makes reconciliation, healing of relationships, possible. In our liturgy of Holy Eucharist, the ‘Peace’ is exchanged right before the offertory. This is symbolic of Jesus’ teaching that we should be reconciled, to be at peace with our brothers and sisters before offering our gifts. As you go about your day, today, think on this: Who can you share the Good News of Christ’s love and forgiveness with before you next come to the altar?
A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
"The Book of Common Prayer," p. 100
