Friday, March 6, 2020

Lenten Reflections, Day Ten, Second Friday of Lent, Look for the Divine Spark in every person.


Day Ten, Second Friday of Lent
Look for the Divine Spark in every person.
Matthew 5: 21-26
21“ You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’  But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult  a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hellf of fire.  So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

What’s up with being angry with others? What makes you make them responsible for your unhappiness? Do you want to give them that kind of power over you?

Jesus tells us that giving people the power to make us unhappy is no way to live. Our brothers and sisters are part of the interdependent web of existence along with us. We are all in this thing called “life” together. 

As part of us, if we hate them, we hate a part of ourselves. If we hate a part of ourselves we place ourselves in hell. As long as we hate those who are a part of ourselves we imprison ourselves and we can’t be released until we join with those with whom we are angry and see our common humanity which is our mutual inherent worth and dignity.

Today, look for that Divine Spark in every person, even your enemies and those with whom you disagree and even hate. Jesus tells us that the path of the kingdom is to merge with that which is holy in every person.

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