Thursday, 22 February 2018

IF YOUR VIRTUE GOES NO DEEPER


PRAYER PAUSE  


Friday 23 February 2018, Polycarp of Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey)


IF YOUR VIRTUE GOES NO DEEPER


Enter into the stillness of God within.


Reading: “For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20-26)




Reflection. There is a chilling mention in our first reading today, from Ezekiel 18:21-28, about “the upright man (who) renounces his integrity.” It is possible for a good person to lose their way. We have seen it in some of the leaders of Africa who started off with evryone’s support and showed a great desire to develop their countries. But after a time they lost their way and thought only of their power and enrichment. They are in the spotlight. But it can happen to any of us in our own way. We set off with high ideals and somehow are drawn away from “the narrow path that leads to life.” Lent is that favourable time when we really look at what we are doing and ask deep questions. Jesus was not just asking his conrtemporaries to realign their lives my minor adjustments. He called them and us to a whole new way of thinking and acting. Somehow this can get lost along the way.


Prayer. Lord, may your Spirit help us to look hard at our way of life, our thinking and acting. Help us to go deeper into the mystery to which you draw us. Amen.





































No comments:

Post a Comment