Thursday 14th June, 2012
1 Kings 18:41-46. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God—Ps 64(65):10-13. Matthew 5:20-26.

  
Meditation: mp3 | podcast
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We will be judged for our unresolved anger.

In today’s reading, Matthew has Jesus ‘lifting the bar’ for the early Christians—and for us. Jesus tells those listening that their virtue needs to go much deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees. Under the Old Law, You must not kill was the benchmark, but Jesus expects much more from his followers. He addresses the subject of anger and he wants them to resolve their anger arising from or in their personal relations. It is no good them making offerings before the altar while there is unresolved anger in their heart. They need to hold out the olive branch, seeking reconciliation.

As Christians, we need to heed this advice. Our challenge is to become peacemakers. Unresolved anger in us creates blockages in our relationship with our Creator God. Lord, we pray for the grace to help us resolve any anger in our heart.