Whoever insults a brother or sister is liable, to be brought before the council.
Whoever calls a brother or sister “Fool!” is liable, of being thrown into the fire of hell.
So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there,
in front of the altar; go at once, and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
Don’t forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court.
Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail.
There, you will stay, until you have paid the last penny.

REFLECTION:
The people of Jesus’ time, most especially the leaders and teachers of the Law, had become so hung up on the minute details of the commandments,
often spending countless hours and so much energy on their smallest details. Jesus doesn’t say that to do so is wrong.
But at the same time he cautions his followers to learn to see beyond the mere obedience to these details to the actual spirit and meaning that
are deeply embedded in them. And at the heart of the Law and the Prophets is something so simple yet so profound:
a true and meaningful relationship with God who has gi­ven us the Law and who has sent us the Prophets.
Apart from that relationship, the Law and the Prophets mean precious little.
It is that relationship that anchors both of them, that gives them meaning, that gives them life, and that allows them to become true guides on the path of life.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2020