In the Kingdom of God, we find our place,
Not just in actions, but in grace.
A life of obedience, externally shown,
Yet, transformation within, in seeds sown.
Strive for purity, in thought and deed,
In every desire, in every need.
Not just actions that others see,
But in our hearts, where thoughts run free.
We all fall short, in ways untold,
Yet, through Jesus, we're in the fold.
Forgiveness received, power anew,
To live righteously, to virtues true.
Examine our hearts, take a look within,
Where does righteousness begin?
In our relationships, commitments made,
In living out values, not letting them fade.
So let us walk, in this journey of life,
Amidst the joy, amidst the strife.
With hearts transformed, and values pure,
In the Kingdom of God, we are secure.
REFLECTION:
"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna." (Matthew 5:30)
Our lives should be according to the values of the Kingdom of God, which involves not just external obedience to the law, but also the inner transformation of the heart.
We should strive for purity not just in our actions, but also in our thoughts and desires. We all fall short, but through Jesus, we can receive forgiveness and the power to live righteously.
Let us examine our hearts, our relationships, and our commitment to living out these values.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come before You today, acknowledging that our lives should be according to the values of Your Kingdom. We understand that this involves not just external obedience to Your law, but also the inner transformation of our hearts.
Help us, Lord, to strive for purity, not just in our actions, but also in our thoughts and desires. We know that we often fall short, but we are grateful that through You, we can receive forgiveness and the power to live righteously.
We ask You to help us examine our hearts, our relationships, and our commitment to living out these values. Guide us in our journey, and help us to reflect Your love and grace in all that we do.
In Your precious name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT ADULTERY / TEACHING ABOUT DIVORCE
Matthew 5:27-30 / 31-32
Gospel | Matthew 5:27-32
Gospel Acclamation
Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.
27 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Background:
Matthew 5:27-32 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus. This sermon is found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7. In this section, Jesus is reinterpreting the Law of Moses, going beyond the literal interpretation to reveal the spirit of the law.
The verses you mentioned, Matthew 5:27-32, deal with the issues of adultery and divorce. Jesus begins by addressing the commandment “You shall not commit adultery,” but He expands on it by saying that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This shows that Jesus is concerned not just with our actions, but also with our thoughts and intentions.
Then, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce. In the Jewish law of that time, a man could divorce his wife by giving her a certificate of divorce. However, Jesus says that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. This teaching emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of the commitment made between husband and wife.
In essence, Jesus is calling His followers to a higher standard of righteousness, one that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of the Pharisees. He is teaching that obedience to God’s law involves not just external actions, but also the inner attitudes of the heart. This reflects the broader theme of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus presents the values of the Kingdom of God and calls His followers to live according to these values.
Learning Lessons:
Matthew 5:27-32 provides several important lessons for our lives:
Purity of Heart: Jesus teaches that sin is not just about our actions, but also about our thoughts and intentions. Looking at someone lustfully, according to Jesus, is akin to committing adultery in one’s heart. This calls us to strive for purity not just in our actions, but also in our thoughts and desires.
Sanctity of Marriage: Jesus’ teaching on divorce underscores the sanctity and seriousness of the marriage commitment. He challenges the practice of easy divorce prevalent in His time, teaching that divorce, except in cases of sexual immorality, leads to adultery. This underscores the importance of faithfulness and commitment in marriage.
Higher Righteousness: These teachings are part of Jesus’ call to a higher righteousness, one that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of the Pharisees. Jesus is calling His followers to live according to the values of the Kingdom of God, which involves not just external obedience to the law, but also the inner transformation of the heart.
Grace and Forgiveness: While these teachings set a high standard, it’s important to remember that Jesus also offers grace and forgiveness. We all fall short, but through Jesus, we can receive forgiveness and the power to live righteously.
These lessons challenge us to examine our hearts, our relationships, and our commitment to living out the values of the Kingdom of God. They remind us that following Jesus involves not just external obedience, but also inner transformation.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
