Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 23 February 2024
Friday of the First Week of Lent
Ezekiel 18:21-28. Matthew 5:20-26
Righteousness that exceeds
The readings of the day teach us that righteousness that exceeds consists in turning towards the good, remaining in it, and moving from external actions to internal disposition.
In the first reading, the Lord God contends with Israel, saying, “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?”
The Lord God chose the people of Israel as his desired possession and made a covenant with them. He owned them as his children and loved them. When they turned their faces towards idols, he chastised them and handed them over to the Babylonians. The people in exile grumbled against the Lord, saying that he was unjust and unfair; he failed to keep up his covenantal promise. Instead of taking responsibility for their sin against the Lord, they pointed fingers at the Lord. In the text of our reading today, the Lord not only clarifies but also underlines that one is punished for one’s own wickedness.
The Lord presents two scenarios: (a) a virtuous man turning towards wickedness will be punished; (b) a wicked man turning towards righteousness will be forgiven. The former is not appreciated for his earlier state of life but is punished for his present wickedness, and the latter is not taken to task for his former state of life but is rewarded for his present righteousness. Thus, the Lord invites them to hold on to righteousness and to remain in it.
In the gospel reading, Jesus, who instructs his disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of their contemporary scribes and Pharisees, gives a new understanding of the Law concerning murder. The Mosaic law on murder focused on the external ‘act’ of killing; Jesus extends the law to focus one’s attention on the internal ‘disposition’ of being angry.
Moreover, he calls for the right disposition to offer sacrifices. He insists on immediate reconciliation, which will save us from the hands of our enemies.
As we reflect on our own deeds of righteousness, let us also remember God’s mercy and compassion, as the Responsorial Psalm reminds us: “If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered” (cf. Ps 130).
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The Lord, who instructs the people of Israel through Moses on the celebration of the Jubilee, exhorts them to be reconciled to God and each other during the year of the Jubilee: “And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan … You shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God, for I am the Lord your God” (Lev 25:10, 17). (cf. Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 38)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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