In the gospel reading for today, from the book of Matthew, Jesus addresses an issue that I think many of us can relate to. The passage is from chapter 5, and in this section, he is addressing the commandment not to murder. This commandment is certainly one with which all humans are very familiar. However, Jesus takes this well-known commandment one step further. He challenges us not only to refrain from physically murdering others, but from figuratively murdering them as well. He tells us that we should not harbor anger against others, speak to them with contempt, or slight them in any way.
Most people have no problem keeping the “old” version of this commandment. The majority of human beings live their entire lives without killing someone else physically. However, all of us are guilty of holding grudges, putting others down, and speaking with others angrily. Jesus tells us that when these issues arise, as they surely will because after all we are only human, it is important that we go to the person who we have injured and make the situation right.
As we continue to move through Lent, we all need to take the time to stop and reflect as to how we may have figuratively murdered the people with whom we interact on a day to day basis. It is important however, to move past reflection into action and take the necessary steps to put things to right with those we have hurt. Let us all ask God to help us know who we need to ask for forgiveness this Lent and to give us the strength to avoid making these mistakes in the future.
-Lauren ‘14
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