Daily Gospel Reflection for March 3, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Cathy G. Knipper

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

My brother considered it a harmless prank. I considered it a violation of my trust and property. He was wrong—I was right—and this was the attitude I brought to the altar as I approached the Eucharist. I am embarrassed to say I did not leave my gift at the altar and go reconcile with him—though we did reconcile eventually—after all, I was the one who had been wronged—what did I have to apologize for? He was the ignorant one. He was the one who did something behind my back. He was the one who could not see the light. I, however, was blameless—worse yet, I was duped and played the fool by his actions. I consoled myself in the knowledge he would soon get an earful from me and know how wrong he truly was.

On that day, as I judged my brother while approaching the altar, I was no better than the Pharisees, taking the front seat in the temple and thanking God for not being like those ignorant fools who did not follow the letter of the law. Instead, I should have remained in my pew, reflecting on the words, “Lord I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof.”

But the use of the word “Raqa” in this passage is significant. In the Aramaic, it is a derogatory term meaning “imbecile, blockhead, empty-headed, foolhardy or worthless.” A modern translation is simply “ignorant.”

How strange, when we are captured by sin, we can’t recognize our own ignorance. Pride strips away our humility and we point our fingers outward, never recognizing the one we call “ignorant” is our very self. The Lord asks us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with our brother and our God.

Ponder:

Lord, when has my pride prevented me from seeing the truth of my thoughts and actions?

Pray:

Lord, when I have been wronged, help me to see my own prideful thoughts and actions. Teach me, Lord, to respond with humility and grace.

Click to tweet:
Pride strips away our humility and we point our fingers outward, never recognizing the one we call “ignorant” is our very self. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Cathy G. Knipper

Cathy is a farmer's daughter, wife, mom and new grandma. She works as an author coach and book publicist. She tries daily to be a woman of faith while fighting her Instagram addiction, reading as voraciously as time allows, working on her log cabin home in the woods and splitting her time between her two grandsons. Follow her on Instagram. @wordinprogress