Gospel Reflection For The 13th day of June in the year of Our Lord, 2024
Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26
20 For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. 22 But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; 24 Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. 25 Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.
Today’s Gospel is a foundational verse in understanding the doctrine of Purgatory – we will have to make amends in the afterlife what we have not gotten right in this life. Although a punishment in one sense, it is also a great blessing. In this life we cannot know with certainly at all times, what is right. We are flawed and weak and even the best person will sin. Purgatory is a benevolent chance given to us by God to do penance for the sins we commit in this life. Certainly, if we make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and strive to live by the teachings of the Church, we will spend less time in Purgatory. A few of us may even die as saints and go directly to Heaven. But, for most of us, Purgatory is a great hope for a last chance to set things right.
But, what has this to do with our Lord’s demand that we must be more righteous than the religious leaders of the Jews? Surely, there were among the Jews of Jesus’ time many very holy, righteous persons. We must view this in light of what Saint Paul wrote about so extensively, that the knowledge of the Law… right and wrong… the wrongness of sin, brings with it a sort of curse. One who is ignorant of the wrongness of an action is not culpable. Children and the mentally handicapped may commit an act that is sinful, but not incur the penalty of sin because they have no knowledge of its wrongfulness. When the Law of Moses was established, it offered two clear paths – virtue or condemnation….. obedience or rebellion. The entire Old Testament is the story of even the holiest people, God’s chosen race, failing to abide by even the most simple of His tenants. Man’s inability to live righteously necessitates the Christ.
Jesus came to take on the penalty of all the sins of mankind past, present and future. He suffered and died for each of us. He opened Heaven to all the holy souls who had lived before , who were unable to enter Heaven through their own merits. He gave to us all an easier path to salvation. He freed us from the Law and its curse. Becoming man, He acknowledged our weakness and limitations. He gave us both a yoke that was light and Purgatory as a tremendous blessing.
Those who deny the doctrine of Purgatory insult God, just as there is no forgiveness without contrition. They insult both the Law and His Divine Mercy. There is a reckoning in the end, a tallying up of one’s life. It does no one any good to deny the reality of sin and its effects. Our Lord paid the penalty. But just as we must accept Him as savior, we must participate in His sacrifice. Jesus did not make sin okay. He gives us, as Saint Paul explained, the opportunity to unite our suffering to His in order to obtain salvation.
Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings July-December, 2024 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3ZTXQB4
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic