Daily Gospel for Friday February 23, 2018

Gospel, Matthew 5:20-26

'For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven.

'You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court.

But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother "Fool" will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him "Traitor" will answer for it in hell fire.

So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering.

Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.

In truth I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.

Reflection on the Gospel of the Lord

What does the Gospel teach us? The Gospel today teach us the importance of reconciliation. It tells us to make peace with the people you are angry with. To make peace with someone, you must be real, honest and sincere. We must be forgiving because when we offer our gifts and sacrifices to God needs a forgiving heart. If we linger on our anger and don't have a forgiving heart or if we cannot forgive ourselves and others, our offering is as good as nothing and will be will be liable to judgement.

We Christians must have a forgiving heart and this is important. Remember how Jesus Christ on the cross asked God the father to forgive those who crucified him. So approach somebody whom we hurt so much in words and deeds and ask for forgiveness and make peace and also forgive those who have hurt you also in words and deeds.