Righteousness And Reconciliation

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. To be righteous is to obey the commandments of God for the sake of the love of God. It is to be right and pleasing in the sight of God and have a relationship with Him. It is doing the will of God and creating a relationship with Him. A righteous person does actions that please God and grows or improves their relationship with God. One is not righteous for oneself or for one’s extolment.

During the time of Jesus Christ, the Scribes and Pharisees were regarded as the religious leaders. They followed religious principles, rules, and ordinances, but only for a show and to attract attention, and not for a committed relationship with God. Talking about them, Jesus said, “All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, and greetings in marketplaces” (Matt. 23:5-7).

The Scribes and Pharisees were also known for their hypocrisy, pretentious life, and double standards. Their relationship with God was not in-depth; instead, they paid lip service to God. As Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matt. 15:8). Jesus’ warning is that we should not follow in the footsteps of the Scribes and Pharisees if we desire to go to Heaven. We cannot be hypocrites. In seeking righteousness, we should act with integrity, moral consistency, and love of God and neighbor. What we say should be consistent with what we do, an attribute that was lacking in the character of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Reconcile with Your Brother or Sister

Another point in today’s gospel message is the importance of reconciliation. We cannot be in enmity with one another (our fellow human beings) and still pretend to offer God a sweet-smelling sacrifice and offering. Jesus Christ tells us, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Reconciliation is usually the offshoot of forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without the indwelling and prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love. There is no forgiveness without love. A person who truly loves is ever ready to forgive.

To fulfill the demands of forgiveness and reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, we must eschew hatred, animosity, bitterness, and harboring grudges. Reconciliation leads to peaceful coexistence and peace of mind. We need to be on good terms with other people before we can enter or be part of the kingdom of God.

The Lord Removes the Veil

In the first reading, Paul talks about the veil, which the Israelites used to cover their faces against the radiating glory of Moses after his encounter with God at Mount Sinai. It is interesting to note that Paul introduced a figurative meaning of the veil in this context. He presented the veil as the object of impediment that prevented the Israelites from seeing and understanding God’s purpose and plans in the old covenant. The veil became what blocked their hearts from seeing the truth of God’s plan. And Paul exclaimed, “To this day, in fact, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts” (2 Cor. 3:15). But through Jesus Christ, the veil is taken away.

As Christians, our hearts are sometimes veiled, and the veil(s) prevents us from seeing and realizing God’s vision for us. There is the veil(s) of ignorance, unbelief, hatred, unforgiveness, unfaithfulness, and the bondage of sin, to mention but a few. As Paul advised, let us turn to the Lord to remove any veil (2 Cor. 3:16) that blocks our hearts from experiencing the glory of God and the freedom of God’s children.

Always remember that Jesus loves you!

[Readings: 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6; Mt 5:20-26]