God’s Measure

Today’s Gospel Text:  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny. Matt 5:20-26

Reflection: There are measures and there are standards; criteria’s by which we judge and arrive at conclusions.

An athlete’s competence will be measured by the standard set by the previous record holder or by the standard set by the one immediately preceding them.

Similarly, there are standards set for material objects, metals, for specified jobs, growth and quality.

If we have to excel in life then we need to set a standard for growth and development. 

As the standard set so is the effort put in, in order to achieve the set target.  Some standards are very specific and measurable and requires great precision in order to achieve it.

Certain scientific instruments fit in with such category.

Similarly, Christian spirituality too sets a standard for us in our walk with God.

There are standards to attain perfection:

There are standards to be dedicated disciples of Jesus:

There is a standard, the minimum that is required to enter into eternal life: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (vs.20)

The righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees came from the practice of the law and Jesus invites us to do more than that; to trust in the saving power of God and his wisdom to do the right thing and enter into eternal life.

Prayer:  “Correct me, O Lord, but in just measure; not in thy anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.”  Jer 10:24

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