When the same message is repeated by the Lord, it would be wise for us to take heed. The day before yesterday, Jesus reminded us that we are the light of the world and our light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing our good works, they may give the praise to our Father in heaven. Yesterday’s reflection on the readings gave us the assurance that the veil separating us from God our Father had been torn and we are given the opportunity to have a deep intimate relationship with the Lord our God!
His law has been written on our hearts, we know them just as we know Him who loves us so! Today we are reminded as well as warned not to take His love for us for granted; by allowing the veil of sin and unforgiveness to separate from God our Heavenly Father. It is the Gospel that keeps us rooted to Him, by choosing Him always through filial piety and steadfastness; through His word, prayer and almsgiving our unveiled faces will reflect the brightness of the Lord. We become One with and in Him.
Let the glory of the Lord dwell in our land, as we radiate the light of Christ on our faces. Amen
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First reading
2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1,3-6 ·
The veil over their eyes will not be removed until they turn to the Lord
Even today, whenever Moses is read, the veil is over their minds. It will not be removed until they turn to the Lord. Now this Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord who is Spirit.
Since we have by an act of mercy been entrusted with this work of administration, there is no weakening on our part. If our gospel does not penetrate the veil, then the veil is on those who are not on the way to salvation; the unbelievers whose minds the god of this world has blinded, to stop them seeing the light shed by the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For it is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ.
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Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26
Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
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