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

 

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Who wants to go to prison? I do not believe anyone does, especially when there is something they can do about it. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching us about anger. He is not telling us to never be angry because He knows that anger is something we will feel. Instead, He is teaching us what to do when we get angry and also the consequences of staying angry.

First, Jesus deepens our understanding of what was taught in the Old Testament about killing by saying that anger, and holding on to it, can lead to killing. He then goes on to teach that being angry and speaking insults to others will carry judgment as well.

Next, He gives us a way to release the anger by going to the person and reconciling with them, especially before coming to God.

Finally, Jesus gives a warning that if we hold onto the anger and do not settle before coming to God, then we will be thrown into prison until we have paid the last penny of what our anger cost us.

Today is also the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, who is known as the patron saint of lost things. Someone who holds tightly to their anger can seem lost to me in a prison of their own making. There are so many movies about vengeance, and how does it turn out? Is the person satisfied when they have killed their opponent? Many of the stories play out a little differently when the person is released from their pursuit of anger and revenge by another’s kindness.

Anger can rule our hearts and take over to the point of imprisonment, but through reconciliation and the kindness and mercy of God, we can find our way out.

 

Ponder:

 

Have you ever stayed angry at someone to the point where you felt lost in the prison of your own thoughts? How can you reconcile with them, and how can you reconcile with God?

 

Pray:


St. Anthony of Padua, please pray for those who are lost in anger and help them to turn to Jesus and His beautiful teachings to find their way out of prison.

 

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2024 Erika Dix

About the Author

Erika Dix

Erika Dix

Erika Dix is a Catholic wife and mom to two teenagers. She is a homemaker by vocation, a graphic designer by trade, and a listener to the Holy Spirit when prompted to write articles. She attends many Bible Studies, several from CatholicMom.com. She appreciates the many layers of her Catholic faith, and enjoys seeing it anew through her husband, who is a recent convert.