Righteousness
EZEKIEL 18:21-28; PSALM 129; MATTHEW 5:20-26
“I prefer to see the wicked man renounce his wickedness and live” The first reading tells us that God does not rejoice in the death of a wicked man but in his conversion. Interior conversion pleases the Lord. What is rampart today can at best be described as exterior conversion – pretence. Similarly, Jesus tells us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees otherwise we shall not enter the kingdom of God. The “righteousness” of the Scribes and Pharisees was all about rule-keeping. Do this, don’t do that. But the righteousness that Jesus asks of his followers is different from that. This righteousness is centred on love, forgiveness and reconciliation.
LET US PRAY
Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful and forgive us. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned to our own ways; Sacred Heart of Jesus; make our hearts like unto Thine. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
