First Reading
Ezekiel 18:21-28
Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,
if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;
he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.
Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?
says the Lord GOD.
Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way
that he may live?
And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,
the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,
can he do this and still live?
None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,
because he has broken faith and committed sin;
because of this, he shall die.
You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8
R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
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.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
TITLE: WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY?
"Is it My way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?" –Ezekiel 18:25
Some Christians assume that Christianity is like taking a course in school. There are several tests in this course, and they think their final grade is the average of all their tests. However, the Lord doesn't average our lives. If we are not faithful to the Lord till death, all our "good scores" count for nothing (see Ez 18:24). Many say: "The Lord's way is not fair" (Ez 18:25), but that's because they haven't accepted Christianity as a living relationship with Christ.
Some people even think that God grades on a curve, that if they're less sinful than the average person, that will be acceptable to God. Yet Jesus also ruined that theory when He taught: "I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God" (Mt 5:20). Because the Pharisees were considered to be very holy people, Jesus was saying that we will not enter God's kingdom unless our holiness surpasses those far above average. In effect, the Lord is calling us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48).
Thus, we can never "make the grade" in Christianity. Living for Christ is humanly impossible and can only be lived through Him,with Him, and in Him. So let's quit playing games with God. He gave His life for us; let's give our lives totally to Him.
PRAYER: Father, "I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:19-20). This Lent, may I accept the grace to be faithful forever.
PROMISE: "If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." –Mt 5:23-24
PRAISE: Al's Catholic wife died suddenly. Al realized his mortality and became a Catholic. He now receives Jesus daily at Mass.
...may the good Lord bless His holy word in our hearts...
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