February 13th - Reflection
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany The teaching of Christ: forgiveness
"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Reflection
We have a need to offer a sacrifice for our sins not only to God but also to one another. This passage deals with our relationships with one another. Jesus wants us to go to one another when we have sinned.
As I reflect and repent to God of my sin, I also must reflect and go to the one I have sinned against and repent. This is one of those difficult passages to live by. It's not easy to go to one you have sinned against and confess that sin and request forgiveness. Forgiveness may not be granted. But it's one of those things that you have to face into and take the step.
Confessing sin is not all that easy. Yet again, when you have confessed the sin there is a relief. The relief doesn't mean that your life will now be easy. The consequences of sin are still in place and you will still face those consequences.
With the love of our Savior and the price that he paid for our sin, we can see how precious and valuable this act for you and for me truly was. As Jesus became the offering and the sacrifice for our sin, we truly respond...Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, as I come to you in prayer this day, make me aware of those people I have hurt. Heal our relationships with one another as we confess our sin and revel in the glory of Jesus act of love in our stead. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment