First Reading : Ezekiel (18:21–28)
Responsorial Psalm : (Psalm 130)
Response: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
Alleluia
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Cast away from you all the transgressions you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Gospel: (Matthew (5:20–26)
Reflection
Today’s Gospel is an exhortation to grow deeper in our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters- to grow deeper in our spirituality.
One major problem with Christianity today is superficiality.
Our churches are full on worship days. People pray. People attend vigils. People fast. People attend Mass. They pray novenas and make the Stations of the Cross. Yet, sometimes, these prayers do not convert us. They do not melt our hearts.
It is common to find a Christian who is very devoted in church -belonging to groups, praying, giving alms-yet unable to forgive. The same Christian keeps hatred, slanders others, and speaks with a bad tongue. That is superficiality.
We are pious in church. We bend our heads. We walk softly, as though we cannot hurt a fly. Yet those pious acts remain at the surface. They do not go deep. We do not allow ourselves to be transformed. It is like oil on water-it floats but never mixes.
As Christians, we sometimes bear only the name, yet behave no differently-or even worse- than pagans. Some of the evil in the world is not done by pagans alone. Some of it is done by baptized Christians.
A fellow Christian may scam you. A church member may scandalize your name. The same person who receives Holy Communion may steal, embezzle, or destroy reputations. That is superficiality.
Jesus says: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The scribes and Pharisees displayed holiness externally. They appeared righteous, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus calls us beyond that. External show cannot save us. Human beings see appearances; God sees the heart. We cannot deceive God.
Prayer is good. Fasting is good. Almsgiving is good. Church groups are good. But these must lead to inner transformation. Let our hearts be broken-not merely our garments.
What use is fasting if I cannot smile at my neighbor?
What use is prayer if I cannot reconcile?
What use is almsgiving if I keep grudges?
God is not moved by offerings alone, but by a heart that seeks reconciliation.
The Gospel is clear: if you bring your gift to the altar and remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift. Go first and renconcile.
Be the first to love.
Do not fear being seen as weak. Do not say, “It was their fault.” The Gospel does not ask who started it. It asks who will love first.
Todsy, let's pick up our phones. Walk to that person with whom we had a dispute. Seek reconciliation.
In that way, our spirituality will not remain superficial. It will be deep-rooted. Our prayers, fasting, and almsgiving will bear fruit.
May we grow beyond spiritual superficiality and allow Christ to transform us from within.
God bless you. Amen.
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