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.
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