February 22
Matthew 5.21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
I was at the store yesterday, picking up just a couple of things. As I entered a line to wait for a cashier I heard loud shouts of anger. A man was very upset with the lady handling the till where he was. Upset that he had to struggle to bag his own items. His actions and words were quite dramatic. Before any of the rest of us could move to get there, the manager stepped in. The customer made it clear that he did not want to have to bag his own things. He was quite put out by it all.
Acting out in anger does not gain us much sympathy in most places. Unless we are addressing more people who feel angry about similar things. Acting out for their anger as well. Anger only serves to put people into defensive postures. It separates us from each other. Anger puts people in opposition to each other. Just watch the news and see the conflicts in Eastern Europe and Gaza. Anger on all sides continuing fighting. We can justify one side or the other. But it is still living out of anger.
Here, and in the next few sections of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows the effects of divisive actions. Here it is anger and lawsuits. He will also show adultery, divorce and vengeance. Each one serving only to bring deeper divisions. Settle matters quickly, Jesus says. Not even concerning ourselves with who is at fault, this is the way forward. Living at peace, as long as it possible, as far as it depends on us. We live differently than the world that lives in anger and division. We live in reconciliation.
Song – Build Your Kingdom Here
Prayer
Forgive us the sins of disunity, O Lord: pride and jealousy and narrow-mindedness. Forgive us the sins of false unity: lack of imagination, apathy, and indifference. Make us one in genuine love and mutual trust. Make us many in gifts and talents and vision. Amen.