6/12/2025 (Thursday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 5:20-26

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

6/12/2025 (Thursday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 5:20-26

In the Gospel passage above, Jesus delivers a message that cuts to the heart of true righteousness. This wasn’t just a call to obey the law outwardly; it was a call to transformation from the inside out. He then pivots from the command “You shall not murder” to address the deeper issues of anger and broken relationships.

He teaches that harboring anger or speaking harsh words like “Raca” (a term of contempt) can carry consequences just as serious as physical violence. Why? Because broken relationships, unresolved anger, and prideful grudges fracture the human heart and tear apart the community God desires.

At the center of this passage is a powerful call to be reconciled with one another. Reconciliation is not optional. It’s foundational to our worship, our witness, and our walk with God.

So how do we do it? Let’s say you’re sitting in church on Sunday, ready to sing, pray, and listen to the Word. But you suddenly remember that you had a bitter argument with your sibling last week. Angry words were exchanged, and you haven’t spoken since. According to Jesus, the next right step is not to lift your hands in worship. It is to pick up the phone, send a message, or drive over to say, “I’m sorry. Can we talk?”

That may feel uncomfortable. But this is the kind of righteousness Jesus calls us to do, not religious performance, but radical love.

Another example: Imagine you and a coworker had a falling-out over a project. Resentment has built up, and though you haven’t shouted or said anything harsh, you’ve been passive-aggressive, withholding kindness, and talking behind their back. Jesus says even this kind of hidden anger is destructive. Reconciliation might mean going to that person and saying, “I realize I’ve let frustration get in the way of our relationship. I want to make things right.”

Why is reconciliation so vital? It reflects God’s heart: God is the ultimate reconciler. He sent His Son to restore our relationship with Him. When we pursue peace with others, we mirror His love.

Reconciliation also restores Community: anger isolates, but reconciliation heals. Whether it’s in families, churches, or workplaces, relationships are the fabric of community. We can’t claim to love God while we neglect the wounds in our relationships with others.

It frees us: carrying anger or bitterness is like dragging chains. Forgiveness and reconciliation don’t just bless the other person. They liberate you. They clear your heart for joy, peace, and spiritual growth.

Reconciliation doesn’t mean ignoring hurt or pretending nothing happened. It means facing the tension with humility and a willingness to restore peace.

Start with prayer. Ask God to soften your heart and give you the courage to reach out. Reflect honestly. Have you contributed to the division? Be willing to apologize, even if you weren’t entirely at fault. Choose love over pride.

Sometimes, the other person won’t respond well. They may not be ready. But Jesus calls us to do our part. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

True righteousness is not about appearing holy, but about embodying God’s love. Reconciliation is one of the clearest ways we live that out. So today, don’t let anger fester. Don’t let silence grow louder than love. Seek peace. Send the message. Make the call. Have the conversation. In doing so, you won’t just mend a broken relationship. You’ll bring a bit more of heaven to earth.

Go here to read further Gospel reflection.