Friday 1st Week of Lent A 2026

Gospel 

Matthew 5:20-26

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.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
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.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
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.
Amen, I say to you,

you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
 

 

What people actually do versus what they say or intend to do is usually what we pay attention to in this world. We are surrounded by people who say one thing and do another. Sometimes beyond their control, sometimes they promise what they don’t know they can’t deliver. Often times they make false claims or promises and the subterfuge is intentional. Frankly most politicians it seems fall into this category. That’s been my opinion for the last 50 years. Unfortunately, neither party has proven me wrong.

 

But Jesus today says it’s not only our actions. What we do or don’t do that matter. It’s even what we think. What emotions we allow to control our thoughts.

 

The human mind is vulnerable and open to good and evil voices. Many fail to understand that their our voices and feelings include voices that need to be eradicated. The mistake is going through life making decisions on feelings and anxiety versus choices made from values. And the values that Jesus gave us are clear and specific.  And when it comes to sin and who will be welcomed to heaven, even our thoughts are required to be controlled. Anger and evil thoughts can pop into our head, but it is our job to say no and remember we are children of God who is love. Anger and retaliation and revenge and destructive thoughts should be eliminated immediately.

 

This Lent we should be practicing the ownership of thoughts and emotions. The more we live a life of prayer and focus on God the easier this is. The more we surrender our life to God the more readily we can handle anger and actions that others take against us.

 

So it’s still the simple message. Love God truly first above all things and remember we are to love others as ourselves. And at moments the wrong thought or anger or feeling inserts itself we offer it to Jesus and say Jesus I trust in you. I give this to you and I let go.

 

Many times it is enough to remember that all people are loved by God. All people are precious.

 

Today let’s strive to drive without anger. To deal with offense with kindness and maybe silence. Trust in Jesus. Fill our day with moments of prayer and fasting and almsgiving this Lent. Practice moments of gratitude for the freedom the Gospel has shown us. Living in the Spirit and focusing on eternal things allows us to see how petty insults in this life are of no consequence in the big picture.