Paying the Last Penny

A Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 5:20-26 – 23 February 2024

Feb 23, 2024

In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us that to be righteous, to be right with God, our faith and resulting actions must surpass even the prescriptions of the scribes and Pharisees. In this, Jesus sets a high bar for us. Can anyone be righteous?

The scribes and Pharisees taught a contractual approach to Salvation. In their thinking, if an Israelite fulfills the external demands of the law, then God is duty bound to save him or her as a son or daughter of Abraham. With this approach, they, not God, are the savior. Afterall, they did their part, now it is God who must do His.

Jesus, in an attempt to demonstrate the impossibility of someone attaining righteousness on their own, ups the ante on the law and teaches us that even hurtful words, insults, and name-calling make one liable to “fiery Gehenna.” The Lord also emphasizes the need for the restoration of right-relationship, love, with anyone whom we have wronged or who has wronged us. He tells us that if we fail in this,

“Amen, I say to you, that you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:26 NABRE)

When Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you,” He is being very direct as God, and we should pay close attention. If we follow the law, then any swerving to the left of the right into sin leaves us debtors to the law with no means of paying our debt.

Though we sometimes like to look down on the scribes and Pharisees, we should not. Scripture simply holds them up as a mirror for us to see ourselves. Like the scribes and Pharisees, we want a checklist approach to Salvation. If I go to Mass every Holy Day of Obligation, I pay more than my fair share of support, I serve on this or that committee, I do this or that for the Church, and I am generally speaking a “good” person, whatever that is, then God must see me as righteous, someone who deserves saving. I have done my part; He must do His.

Yet, the reality is that we do fail, fall short, and begin to incur the debt of sin. Over time, those pennies start to pile up, and, as the Lord explains, we cannot be “justly” released from the “fiery Gehenna” until that debt is paid. Who will pay our debt? Can we cry foul? Of course not. St Paul writes;

But if our wickedness provides proof of God’s righteousness, what can we say? Is God unjust, humanly speaking, to inflict his wrath? Of course not! For how else is God to judge the world? … All have gone astray; all alike are worthless; there is not one who does good, there is not even one. (Romans 3:5–6, 12 NABRE)

If every penny must be paid, then who can be righteous? Who can enter heaven? The reality is that no one, through their own effort, can make themselves righteous. We are dependent on grace, that last penny. It is the Lord Himself who paid the debt for our sins on the cross. Love comes to the rescue and this is grace. That is why a crucifix should be prominent in any Church. It is the ultimate expression of love, it is the greatest demonstration of God’s grace which flows like the blood and water from the side of Christ and into us, especially in the Eucharist.

If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. (1 John 1:8–9 NABRE)

Righteousness is impossible without grace, no matter the number of good works. Likewise, if grace does not compel us to good works, like a gift left unwrapped, it is also sadly given in vain (James 2:14-17). Works empowered by grace, on the other hand, can accomplish miracles. Remember St Paul’s words; “I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me.” (Philipians 4:13 NRSV) That is grace!

We must carefully unwrap and treasure the gift of grace bought through Jesus’ sacrifice, the last penny. Therefore, let yourself be formed by the rough or gentle strokes of grace. Strive to be an instrument rather than an obstacle. And, if you are willing, … you will be a channel for the waters of God, rather than a boulder which diverts their flow. (St Josemaría Escrivá, 874). When we cooperate with grace, it cannot help but magnify that grace in our world.

Lent is a time of seeking grace. Sometimes we must go into the desert to understand the gift of grace. When a person is lukewarm, the waters of grace slide over him without being soaked in. In contrast, in the desert, a few drops of rain at the right time, yield abundant flowers and delicious fruit. Rejoice in God’s gift, for every penny has been paid, and become a flowing channel of grace into the world.

Missio Dei

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